New Zealand First denies playing politics over the latest coalition disagreement - this time over a major jobs package for Southland.
Labour's coalition partner says won't back a $100 million package because the case does not yet stack up.
The region's preparing for the likely closure of the Tiwai Point smelter next August, with more than 2500 jobs on the line.
The Prime Minister was forced at the 11th hour to scrap her plan to announce the job creation package in Invercargill late last week, after failing to get agreement from New Zealand First.
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson has the story.
