Papers show battle for the RWC rights

Papers released today reveal the extent of political infighting over Maori Television's (MTS) bid for the 2011 Rugby World Cup free-to-air television rights.

Papers released to NZPA under the Official Information Act show MTS put up a bid only when invited to by the International Rugby Board (IRB), and that ministers were notified.

However , Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully was left out of the loop in the early stages and when he found out he objected to MTS getting extra taxpayer funding from Te Puni Kokiri.

Mr McCully thought it was an unfair subsidy and Treasury thought using the money to provide Maori commentaries would deter viewers.

The papers cast light on the political row which broke out last month, after TVNZ and TV3 put up a joint last minute bid to screen free-to-air Cup matches.

Prime Minister John Key stepped in and an agreement was reached where MTS would lead a joint bid with TVNZ and TV3.

The documents show Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples was MTS's champion throughout discussions, defending the use of $3 million in Te Puni Kokiri (TPK) funding going into it.

A Treasury document detailed how the IRB had rejected an initial joint bid and it invited local broadcasters, including MTS to put up separate bids.

"There is a potential concern that, should MTS's tender win, other unsuccessful bidders might perceive that MTS has somehow been favoured through secured $3 million of guaranteed revenue associated with its bid," Treasury staffer Tim Roper wrote.

"Also there is a risk that any Maori language commentaries attached to the free to air broadcasts deter a wider free-to-air audience.

"In other words, in promoting Maori language and culture, and economic, outcomes, achievement of wider public broadcasting outcomes associated with such a big event for all New Zealanders might be sacrificed."

Emails show Mr McCully sought detailed information about MTS coverage - it reaches about 90 percent of the country.

In a letter to Mr Key, Dr Sharples said Mr McCully had raised concerns about TPK's involvement and Dr Sharples said the process could have been more inclusive.

"Mr McCully further observed that he thought that Te Puni Kokiri investment was not appropriate, that it was an unfair subsidy of the MTS and that it advantaged MTS over the other potential bidders."

Dr Sharples said the spending was justified, given the outcomes hoped to be made for Maori through the games and associated publicity.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman also appeared to have been kept out of the loop about progress in the deal.

A staff file note on a meeting with TVNZ said: "final bombshell" for the meeting was the news that MTS had secured free-to-air rights from the RWC.

"According to TVNZ (who had been seeking some of shared arrangements for key games), this has been done with a combination of $3 million from TPK, and $3 million from Maori cultural and business interests. Minister was unaware of this."

The IRB is yet to make its decision, but may be unimpressed with the joint bid after previously rejecting the model.

An email from MTS to TPK may irritate it further - it states that the publicly funded broadcasters had reached an agreement not to enter into a competitive bidding situation.

- NZPA