Candidate threatens TVNZ over his exclusion

Kelvyn Alp. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A little-known Pakeha Te Tai Tokerau byelection candidate is threatening TVNZ's Marae Investigates with an injunction if it excludes him from a televised debate.

However, producers argue there's no automatic right to television for a man who is barely registering in voters' consciousness.

OurNZ's Kelvyn Alp said he was looking at his legal options after he was refused entry to the programme's debate, which includes the Mana Party's Hone Harawira, Labour's Kelvin Davis and Maori Party candidate Solomon Tipene.

"It's more like a biased election instead of a byelection. Everyone knows publicity can turn things around and they've excluded me from everything. They're saying it's a three-horse race - that's a load of crap to be honest," Mr Alp said.

A poll conducted by Maori TV's Native Affairs this week put him and the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party candidate, Maki Herbert, on 1 per cent support.

Mr Alp believed there was more support out there for him than the poll suggested. "Did they ring Te Hapua? Down to Kaikohe?"

Producer Raewyn Rasch said Marae Investigates had a responsibility to viewers to provide intelligent debate. Asked if she thought Mr Alp would fit the bill, she said: "I've looked at some of his comments - I cannot make head or tail of them.

"He's not from the electorate, he's not Maori, he's not on the Maori roll, he's not eligible for the Maori roll.

"We're making a TV programme and we have every right to invite whoever we want on [to it] ... that's pretty much where it is."

A letter was sent to Mr Alp yesterday telling him Marae Investigates was sticking by its decision. The segment will be filmed tomorrow for a Sunday morning broadcast.