Coalition fallout after new RWC bids 

Source: ONE News

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A government backed bid to trump Maori TV's goal of screening the 2011 Rugby World Cup has sparked a bust-up in coalition relations between National and the Maori Party.
          
The National-led government says its support for a bid by TVNZ and TV3 will ensure the Cup is viewed by all New Zealanders, but the Maori Party says the deal is an attempt to undermine Maori TV.

The bidding war is proving to be quite explosive, involving all the key elements of rugby, race, television, money and politics.

Maori TV was the front runner to win the broadcasting rights to the 2011 event, however the government claimed 10% of the country would not be able to tune into the channel. 

"The issue around the Maori TV bid was an issue of coverage across New Zealand," says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The government is now trying to trump Maori TV's bid by putting up cash to back a joint bid to the International Rugby Board by TVNZ and TV3.
  
Under the bid, the All Blacks games would all be screened free and live, including six on TVNZ and six on TV3 and both broadcasters would show the final and semi finals.

The deal is thought to be worth more than $5 million, outbidding state owned Maori TV.

It is not clear how much money the government will put up, but its proving to be a big issue for government relations, with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples expressing disappointment at National's actions.

"I'm extremely disappointed. I think our bid was transparent. I think their bid was made knowing how much Maori Television had bid. I think it's grossly unfair," he says.

TVNZ's CEO, Rick Ellis, claims the company's reach gives it an advantage over Maori TV.

"We can reach basically all New Zealand homes, but also we can maximise the commercial potential for those sponsors and advertisers that wish to have their brands associated with the Rugby World Cup," Ellis says.

But already there is talk of a counter bid from Maori TV.

"Iwi have come out and offered us funding because they just believe it is such a win-win situation for Maori," Sharples says.

But National sees the situation as a lose-lose - a choice between disappointing some rugby fans or its Maori Party coalition partner.

While this case does not look like a coalition breaker, it seems with the country facing elections in 2011, the National-led government does not wish to face a public backlash over thousands not getting a chance to view the Cup, if Maori TV win the bid.