MPs eye UK trip for a rugby union
Politicians will put party differences aside when they attend Parliamentary World Cup with Air NZ’s help
Winston Peters
MMark Mitchell Ps will fly to Britain to take part in the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup after Air New Zealand provided discounted flights.
The MPs, who have been granted special leave, will take part in a tournament from September 10 to 23 — dates which overlap with the start of the real Rugby World Cup.
Politicians going include Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga — who is currently under pressure over allegations of violence Damien O’Connor
Kelvin Davis in jails — and NZ First leader Winston Peters, who turned 70 this year.
New Zealand are four times champions in the parliamentary tournament, which happens before each Rugby World Cup.
The trip to Britain is being funded through sponsorship, including from Air New Zealand.
In 2007, the then Prime Minister, Helen Clark, questioned whether such corporate sponsorship was appropriate, and said Air New Zealand’s sponsorship effectively amounted to a public subsidy of the team.
Players will also be dipping into their own pockets. When asked how
Peeni Henare
Stuart Nash the trip was being funded, Labour MP Damien O’Connor said: “My bank account.”
Team members will need to put aside working disputes if they are to have a shot at glory. Mr Lotu-Iiga has responded angrily this week to questioning from Kelvin Davis — who’s going on the rugby trip — over allegations about what the minister knew regarding so-called “fight clubs” in Serco-run Mt Eden Prison.
Said Mr Davis of the UK mission: “I might find myself getting a kick in the head from my side of the ruck. But once we’re out of the House, we put things aside and get on the rugby Paul Goldsmith
Alfred Ngaro field and do what we do there.”
Mr Peters said he would handle the team’s PR as media manager but he would not be playing — “I hope they are not going to be that desperate.”
Some team members were considering attending the real Rugby World Cup, but he was not yet sure if he would catch any games. Others were tacking on political business.
This year, the team is made up of a core of parliamentary staff and family, with nine MPs. They have
Sam Lotu-Iiga been granted special leave in order to be regarded as being present within the parliamentary precincts over the course of the tournament — parties have restrictions on how many MPs can be on leave from Parliament at any one time.
Other players include Labour MPs Peeni Henare and Stuart Nash and National’s Paul Goldsmith, Mark Mitchell and Alfred Ngaro.
Mr Mitchell and Mr O’Connor are co-captains. nzherald.co.nz Midweek Fixture with Dylan Cleaver tinyurl.com/pfk9o9r