Political bigwigs bound for Twickenham showdown

Investigative Reporter·NZ Herald·

27 Oct, 2015 04:30 PM3 mins to read

Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman. Photo / NZME.

Public servants and a chief executive will join Prime Minister John Key and two Cabinet ministers in Twickenham's stands for this weekend's Rugby World Cup final.

Sport New Zealand chief executive Peter Miskimmin will be in London for the match, with his travel and ticket paid for by the government agency, and staff from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will attend as part of work to help Kiwi companies make headway in Europe.

Mr Key, Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman and Trade Minister Tim Groser will be hosted at Sunday's match by tournament organisers, but their other travel expenses will be picked up by the taxpayer.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English defended that cost yesterday, saying all three were in Europe for reasons other than rugby, with Mr Key and Mr Groser focused on starting free-trade talks with the European Union.

"I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the Government in the form of the Sports Minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game. Do you think we should stay home because we can't afford it?" Mr English told TV One's Breakfast.

Mr Key is likely to have at least three staff travelling with him, but because of time difference his office was unable to confirm numbers and if they would attend the final.

A spokeswoman for Dr Coleman said that, as was routine, he had one staff member with him, who would accompany him to the rugby.

Labour leader Andrew Little will also make the trip to London for the game -- but he will cover all his expenses while there, except for his final ticket, provided by NZ Rugby.

Dr Coleman will speak at a Unesco conference on sports doping at Paris. In London, he will meet Britain's Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, and Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, Tracey Crouch. Dr Coleman will also meet the chair and chief executive of the National Health Service.

Mr Key has chaired a meeting of the International Democratic Union in Marrakesh, and in London will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen. Later this week he will meet the President of the European Council and European Commission in Brussels.

A spokesman for NZTE said as part of its business leveraging programme it had six NZ-based staff in London "to assist in forging connections between New Zealand businesses and UK and Europe businesses".

It was estimated this work would result in $11 million worth of deals, he said. NZTE would have four staff at the final, hosting Kiwi companies and their contacts, with tickets sorted through a partnership with NZ Rugby.

Education Minister Hekia Parata is now back in New Zealand, having attended the All Blacks' quarter-final and semifinal. She was in Europe for an OECD education summit.

Mr Key will be hoping the All Blacks win this weekend, having made a bet with Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull that the leader of the losing country will wear a tie in his Anzac rival's colours during parliamentary question time.