Labour and National will get the biggest cut of broadcasting funding ahead of the general election later this year.

The Electoral Commission has released its decision on the amount of time and money allocated to political parties for the broadcasting of election programmes.

National and Labour will get $1.15m and 36 minutes of air time each. The Greens will get $300,000 and 15 minutes. ACT and the Maori Party both get $160,000 and nine minutes while NZ First and United Future get $100,000 and five and a half minutes.

Several parties who are not in Parliament, including Alliance and Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis, will receive $20,000 and two minutes.

As expected, Hone Harawira's Mana Party has missed out on funding because it was launched after the application date.

Fifteen parties are eligible to receive an allocation and a total of 72 minutes has been made available for opening addresses and 60 minutes for closing addresses by both Television New Zealand and Radio New Zealand.

To actually get the allocated funding parties need to be registered by the dissolution of Parliament on October 20.

The New Zealand Sovereignty Party, Pirate Party of New Zealand, Coalition of New Zealanders and World Peace Party have yet to register.

In total, $3,283,250 has been allocated, the same as in 2005 and 2008, including $3250 for Radio New Zealand to help cover production costs for the opening and closing addresses.

Parties can use the money for production costs and to buy air time. They are also allowed to use their own money to meet production costs but not to buy airtime.

The allocation may change before the end of the year, particularly if any of the parties fail to register and their money is redistributed.

- Stuff

Comments