Maori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell has hit out at political opponents who continue to accuse him of "baseless allegations".
Calls for Mr Flavell's resignation as minister in charge of Maori Television have been made this week by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who said hehad changed his answers in Parliament's Hansard records of allegations of interference with the broadcaster. The Labour Party last week also demanded his resignation as minister.
Mr Flavell had previously denied to a select committee and Parliament that he and his staff discussed a planned Whanau Ora panel discussion on Native Affairs, which was to screen at Queen's Birthday but was cancelled. Maori Television has said the claims of political interference were "inaccurate" and the decision to pull the discussion was made because it would rate poorly on a public holiday.
When questioned in Parliament by Mr Peters, Mr Flavell had stated he was not aware of interaction between his staff and the television station regarding his appearance on the programme. It was misreported in a draft Hansard record that he was aware, which was later corrected.
"[On Tuesday] In Parliament, he admitted he was aware of interaction between his staff and Maori TV, and then, some time later, had Hansard's record altered to directly contradict his admission," Mr Peters said in statement. "The minister should resign."
Speaker of the House David Carter cleared Mr Flavell during yesterday's question time.
"The member [Winston Peters] is now alleging that the member changed the Hansard. I can assure you that is not the case. I have checked on this," Mr Carter said. "Hansard was a draft prepared by Hansard staff and it turned out to be incorrect. As soon as that was noted, it was changed. I can assure this House there was no attempt by the minister to alter this Hansard and have that word ['not'] stuck in. It was effectively a mistake by Hansard office that has been acknowledged. It was a draft Hansard ... it was published in haste."
Mr Flavell had "emphatically denied any wrongdoing" and told the Rotorua Daily Post the allegations were wasting time and money.
