The Southland District mayor says it's disappointing that politicking has scuppered the Prime Minister's plan to announce a multi-million dollar recovery package for the region.
A week ago, Jacinda Ardern, Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, visited Invercargill and met with Southland mayors to discuss future job opportunities in the region, following the news of the planned closure of the Tiwai Smelter.
RNZ understands the visit was originally meant to include an announcement of roughly $100-million for the region, focussed on job creation.
But New Zealand First says it's refusing to back the jobs package because the case does not yet stack up.
Māni Dunlop spoke to the Southland District mayor, Gary Tong.
