John Key says he's unaware of any iwi pledging cash to help Maori TV boost its Rugby World Cup TV rights bid.

The Beehive's decision to virtually order TVNZ to gazump Maori TV's Rugby World Cup bid has soured the Maori Party's relationship with National.

Remember the utter shambles as the All Blacks bombed out of the last Rugby World Cup because they could not organise a simple drop-goal?

Maori TV will continue to fight for the rights to the Rugby World Cup, saying the Govt's backing of TVNZ's bid is an affront to Maori.

The Govt has scuppered Maori TV's bid for exclusive free-to-air rights to screen the Rugby World Cup by putting up enough money for TVNZ to outbid it.

TVNZ has resubmitted what the International Rugby Board calls a compelling bid for the free-to-air rights for the Rugby World Cup.

Maori Television's bid for exclusive free-to-air rights to the Rugby World Cup has effectively been kneecapped by Prime Minister John Key.

Maori TV was pressured into changing its bid for the exclusive free-to-air rights to the Rugby World Cup to allow rival channels to piggy-back and show the games.

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.

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.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples has given his blessing for taxpayer funds to support Maori TV's World Cup bid.

Win or lose against Shane Cameron, David Tua probably won't be fighting again in New Zealand any time soon.

Maori Television insists it is not bowing to pressure over the screening of two separate programmes about China tonight.