National calls for a full review of TPK

National's Maori Affairs spokesman, Gerry Brownlee, is calling for a full review of Te Puni Kökiri, following revelations today of "frivolous and excessive expenditure" at the Ministry.

Te Puni Kokiri's spending on consultants and contracts has almost doubled in the past year to $7.9 million. Up to $50,000 of this was spent on a kapa haka CD which, among other things, is played in the Ministry's lifts.

"I think most taxpaying New Zealanders will agree that elevator music is not a good use of their money," says Mr Brownlee.

"Given Labour's track record with this particular Ministry, and with public funds more generally, I can almost guarantee there will be no critical analysis to find out whether the money was well spent.

"National suggested during the election campaign that this organization might well have run its course. We will now be making full use of the select committee process to instigate a full inquiry into activities and expenditure at TPK."

Ends

© Scoop Media