Today Mauri Pacific MP Tukuroirangi Morgan used the general debate to accuse Labour MP Trevor Mallard of illegally bugging Aotearoa Television Network for political purposes.

He further accused Mr Mallard of knowingly using a "spliced" together tape recording to discredit him.

The matter is subject to a defamation action taken by Morgan against Mallard.

The following background comes from the Scoop Archive - login and use SCOOP GOLD for much more - circa March 1997.

MARCH - 11 - Radio New Zealand
Defamation writ from Tukoroirangi Morgan about will be served on a cooperative Trevor Mallard at 2pm today.
MARCH 5 - TV3
Parliament told by Labours Trevor Mallard that NZ First MP Tukoroirangi Morgan stood to make lots of money if the $4 million grant to Aotearoa Television Network went ahead. Claims he has tape to back him up.Tuku Morgan issues a statement categorically denying any financial connection to the TV station.

Later in the General Debate the government made much play of the fact that Labour said very little to defend Mr Mallard.

Mallard eventually turned up in the house to make a personal explanation and was denied leave to do so.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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