Scott Watson's boat repainted for Sounds murder film, paid for by taxpayers
The sloop Blade, the central piece of evidence in the murder trial of Scott Watson, is once more at the heart of controversy about the case.
To the disgust of victims' family friends, public money has been used to paint the boat where convicted double murderer Scott Watson was found to have killed Ben Smart and Olivia Hope.
NZ On Air has granted Production Shed $1,027,660 to make Ben and Olivia: Searching for the Truth.
A family friend of Mary Smart, Ben's mother, wrote to Broadcast Minister Amy Adams, Production Shed and NZ On Air questioning why public money is being used to fund another documentary on the murder case.
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* Scott Watson seeking judicial review challenging Department of Corrections over meeting with father of Olivia Hope
* Boat's presence a daily reminder for Ben Smart's mum
"Scott Watson had time to tell his story in court and did not," she wrote to Adams.
"The local community is outraged by the abuse of taxpayer's money... This fictional documentary will continue to sensationalise for public viewing and TV ratings."
She also wrote to NZ On Air, who told her the project offered an opportunity to "explore the facts, with a new perspective that has not been heard before."
"The cases of Arthur Allan Thomas, David Bain and Teina Pora (to name a few) show that sometimes there is merit in re-examining a case" the agency replied.
Journalist Mike White, whose interview with convicted killer Scott Watson last year reignited interest in the case, was to be the face of the new docu-drama, to screen on TVNZ.
But he's now pulled out of the project, as questions are raised about the production company's methods.
In December, the funding authority said the programme would involve White reinvestigating the evidence against Watson, who was convicted of killing Hope and Smart in the Marlborough Sounds in 1998.
White said he was approached by Production Shed around the middle of last year and was involved in initial consultation but withdrew in February, for reasons he would not reveal.
Emails and phone calls to Production Shed were not returned and a staff member directed enquiries to NZ On Air, before hanging up.
NZ On Air sought reassurance that the project was still on track.
"Although Mike White is not presenting the programme, his interview with Scott Watson will be part of the programme," the agency spokeswoman said.
"We are confident the funding is being well-utilised to bring together a comprehensive story that will allow viewers to re-examine this high profile case and reach their own conclusions."
TVNZ has not decided when the docu-drama will air on TV One.
Meanwhile, Blade is also currently moored right outside the home of Mary Smart.
When asked about it in January, Mrs Smart called the re-homing of the yacht "provocative".
Richard Clausen, owner of Waikawa Marina's Richard Clausen Boat Builders, said he was approached around three weeks ago by the production company to paint Blade.
It was painted a red-orange colour to imitate how it looked on the night Watson is believed to have murdered Hope and Smart, following a New Year's Eve party at Furneaux Lodge, in the Marlborough Sounds.
Clausen said the company was going to change it to blue during filming, to match the paint job Watson gave the boat in what police claimed was a bid to disguise its identity following the murders.
He would not say how much the company paid for the paint job, but an industry figure estimated the cost of stripping the 7.2 metre long boat, sanding and repainting it to be around $10,000.
Chris Watson, the father of Scott Watson and owner of Blade, said that claims he received money in exchange for leasing out the boat were unfounded.
"I would never take any money for this, it would be a sort of kiss of death for me because I would be accused of cashing in on the notoriety of the boat," he said.
He he let Production Shed use the single-masted sloop because the docu-drama was good publicity, he said.
And it could not be any worse than the way his son had been represented in the past.
"I'm always willing to help somebody showcase the ridiculous way this case has been represented.
"The police and the courts did a hatchet job so there's nothing anyone can do that's worse than that."
NZ On Air said the Watson family would not benefit materially from the making of the docu-drama.
"The Blade has been re-painted to its colour at the time of the disappearances for the dramatic recreations and will be returned to its pre-shooting state," the agency said.
Gerald Hope, the father of Olivia Hope, said he had "no issue" with the Blade being repainted for re-enactments.
"How they've used NZ On Air funding, I have no issue with," he said. "My greatest concern is that they represent the events and the facts surrounding Ben and Olivia's disappearance accurately and honestly."