Sharples to apologise over Cup bid
Pita Sharples says he will apologise to John Key for not discussing in detail Te Puni Kokiri's $3m deal to support Maori TV's Rugby World Cup bid.
Pita Sharples says he will apologise to John Key for not discussing in detail Te Puni Kokiri's $3m deal to support Maori TV's Rugby World Cup bid.
Maori TV has accused its rival TV3 of racism after it broadcast an item lampooning what its coverage of the Rugby World Cup would look like.
John Key has rejected Maori Party suggestions that concern over the Maori TV bid for Rugby World Cup free-to-air coverage has racist undertones.
Maori TV will be expected to show Rugby World Cup matches to all NZ if it wins coverage rights, the Maori Affairs Minister says.
Maori TV's Rugby World Cup commentary would mainly be in English but 5 to 10 per cent will be peppered with Maori phrases.
Thousands will miss out on free live coverage of the Rugby World Cup if Maori TV's taxpayer-funded bid for the right to screen games succeeds.
More than half of the 8000 houses insulated under the Government's scheme belong to low-income earners, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says.
Ministers will be given a lump sum of $37,500 a year to pay for accommodation in Wellington - and they can pocket any of the change.