The Finance Minister says the Government is not prepared to penny-pinch when providing money for the Rugby World Cup, including nearly $2 million for a plastic waka-shaped pavilion.
[image:1632:half:left]This comes as the Government has asked state agencies to cut costs further, with the likelihood of no new spending in the Budget next month.
The PVC enclosure will be shaped like a waka; it will be 60-metres long and 15-metres wide, and will host Maori cultural displays.
"Various departments have cancelled other things to pay for it", Mr English says.
He says it's a great opportunity to showcase New Zealand on the world stage.
Auckland hapu Ngati Whatua o Orakei estimates the total cost of the Waka Maori project will be $1,988,000; the Crown will contribute just over $1.8 million and the hapu $100,000. The waka will be fully owned by a hapu-owned company.
Critics have said the project should have gone out to tender and is an appalling use of taxpayer money.
