Maori TV denies studio deal done

By LOUISA CLEAVE

The Maori Television Service has dismissed claims that it has already entered into an agreement with a company to develop its television studios.

However, it is understood the board favours a proposal by the Carbine Group to develop its Auckland headquarters at the Viaduct Harbour and board directors have visited the Market Place office space on more than one occasion.

The Herald understands that the board received proposals from the Carbine Group and one other company under a closed tender process.

Sources said the closed tender was done because of time restrictions facing the board.

The Carbine Group yesterday suggested that it was given the nod to proceed with the studio project after successfully pitching its plans to the Maori TV board.

Carbine Group general manager Patrick McPhee would not be drawn on whether the company had a formal agreement with the service but said, "Yes, we're developing this system for [the Maori Television Service]".

Mr McPhee said the Carbine Group had pitched its proposal to the board a long time before the arrival of chief executive John Davy.

Mr Davy was sacked last week after only seven weeks in the job for lying about his background. Police are now investigating.

Act leader Richard Prebble yesterday asked Parliament's Maori affairs select committee to investigate a contract between the Maori Television Service and the Carbine Group, and a multi-million dollar contract with Sony to fit out the studios.

Mr Prebble said a contract had been awarded to Sony without a tender process.

Mr McPhee confirmed that the Carbine Group was using Sony as its major equipment provider.

He said the board agreed on Sony after a vote in which director Martin Cleave, who is an executive for Sony, was not involved.

Maori affairs committee chairman John Tamihere yesterday spoke to board chairman Derek Fox and later said there was no substance to Mr Prebble's allegations.

Mr Tamihere said he was told that the board had a number of negotiations "in traction and on foot".

"At no time has the Maori Television Service board entered into any major undertakings as at the date of this correspondence," Mr Tamihere replied in a letter to Mr Prebble.

The board was last night discussing the contents of a report on the legal and financial commitments entered into when Mr Davy was chief executive.

A second report - on who was responsible for running security and credit checks on Mr Davy - will be presented to the Government on Friday.

The findings of an inquiry by the State Services Commission into the role of the Millennium People recruitment agency are expected to be released at the same time.

Full coverage: Maori TV