Documentary ‘not a good idea’

WELLINGTON: New Zealand On Air has been labelled out of touch and wasteful for awarding $200,000 of taxpayer money for a documentary about Green MP Chloe Swarbrick.

Act New Zealand said Ms Swarbrick should reject any role in the publiclyfunded documentary.

NZ On Air said yesterday ‘‘misinformation’’ was being sown after groups including the Taxpayers’ Union criticised the funding.

Ms Swarbrick was not involved in pitching the project.

A funding decision described Being Chloe as a documentary exploring the political and personal life of New Zealand’s youngest MP.

‘‘This is a gross misuse of taxpayers’ money,’’ Act leader David Seymour said.

‘‘The fact they’re even considering using $220K of taxpayerfunded money on a documentary on a sitting MP shows how far standards in New Zealand have fallen.’’

NZ On Air said the funding was $200,000, not the higher amount quoted.

Media commentator Bill Ralston said the NZ On Air funding decision appeared to be problematic.

He said it could be argued if the agency wanted to fund a documentary about a Green Party MP, it should do the same for all other parties in Parliament.

‘‘It looks craven . . . It’s not a good idea by New Zealand On Air.’’

He said in the current environment, NZ On Air funding decisions were likely to face high levels of scrutiny.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said yesterday he was aware of debate about the project but it was not his place to interfere in NZ On Air funding decisions.

‘‘I think my life would be so boring, that it would make for a very poor documentary,’’ he said when asked if he would like a film crew to follow him for two years.

Documentary producer Letisha TateDunning said the new project would follow Ms Swarbrick’s personal journey and daily life as an MP over the next two years.

‘‘The film will be released after the 2023 elections,’’ Ms TateDunning said. —