Labour says a National Party official closely linked to the Prime Minister should not be making decisions about a taxpayer-funded documentary on Whanau Ora.
Labour's broadcasting spokesperson Clare Curran says John Key's electorate chair, Stephen McElrea, has been heavily involved in the commissioning of four documentaries funded by Air NZ to the tune of $1.1 million.
Curran says the move "demonstrates high level political cronyism and interference".
She says McElrea complained about a similarly-funded documentary
about poverty screening just before the election but Whanau Ora, a
behind the scenes look at the Government's controversial wellbeing
policy, has clear politically positive outcomes for the
Government.
"The latest revelations show a clear conflict of interest and
political influence within NZ on Air," says Curran.
"Mr McElrea must either resign or be removed from the board in order for the agency to retain any integrity regarding its funding decisions and its function as the public broadcasting funding body."
NZ On Air says the working group process has been running smoothly for years and meets the needs of programme producers and broadcasters.
Chief executive Jane Wrightson said NZ On Air plays no role in determining the shape of the documentary and does not know what the editorial position of the final programme will be.
"This is a matter between the broadcaster and the producer,"
said Wrightson.
