WELLINGTON - A scandal concerning a pair of underpants is threatening to jeopardise New Zealand's fledgling coalition government.
The briefs in question became the target for outrage and ridicule after it was revealed that one of the country's new MPs had gone on a huge spending spree at a top clothes show, courtesy of a publicly funded Maori television station of which he was a former director.
Mr Tukoroirangi Morgan spent nearly £40 on the underpants, and a further £1,700 on other clothes at the appropriately named Auckland boutique Politik two weeks before last October's election. Staff at the TV station, including those who appeared on camera and could claim to need a clothing allowance, have since revealed the frugality of their expenses.
The station, funded as part of the state's legal duty to keep the Maori language alive, has had its backing withdrawn since the revelations and now looks certain to close.
Mr Morgan, known as Tuku, has remained silent amid claims that he has let his people down. But calls for his resignation are expected to come to a head today when Parliament reconvenes. He is one of the NZ First MPs, the minority coalition partner which controversially opted to keep the National Party in power. The coalition has a majority of one, so his future, could be critical to the government's future.
Mr Morgan yesterday indicated he would consult his Maori electorate about the issue. His constituency chairman Mr Timi Maipi backed him, saying it was the first time in the history of New Zealand politics that Maoris were in positions of power. "That's the real issue. Tuku's underpants is a side issue," he said.