7 May 2002

“In the total debacle that has descended on Maori Television one fundamental question is being overlooked. It is not a question of what happened but rather, how could it possibly have happened?”, said New Zealand First Leader, Winston Peters.

“The question has to be asked whether Maori Television has yet received legislative authority, and if not the factual matrix is very important. If Maori Television has no legislative authority then who could possibly be authorised to have spent money on, for example, a CEO, equipment or premises and what authority can the Board possibly have to spend money.

“If Maori Television has no statutory authority at this point in time then the question must be asked who legitimately hired the CEO Davy or more generally who has legitimately been signing all the contracts on behalf of Maori Television?

“Or is it simply the case that these arrangements are done with the authority of the Ministers of Finance, Broadcasting and Maori Affairs.

“Which begs the question; Why is Davy not seeking legal advice to sue the Board on the basis that they ostensibly held themselves out contractually, when they had no legal authority to do so?” concluded Winston Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media