The Labour Party has used a snap debate in Parliament to accuse the Government of focusing on photo opportunities rather than ensuring the Rugby World Cup runs smoothly.
Parliament set aside its usual business on Thursday afternoon for an urgent debate on the Government's move to take greater control of Cup activities on Auckland's waterfront.
The Government and the Auckland Council have had to respond this week to transport failures on Friday's opening night, and overcrowding on the waterfront.
Labour MP Trevor Mallard accused the Government of being more interested in photo opportunities than getting things right.
Mr Mallard said the Prime Minister invited the whole world to come down to Party Central - and then was surprised when more than 12,000 people came.
"What we are seeing now can I think be fairly described as damage control and the covering of some relatively exposed butts," he said.
In response, Transport Minister Steven Joyce told the House New Zealanders were in a mood to celebrate and had had enough of Labour's desperate negativity.
