The Labour Party says it is surprised so few New Zealanders are being recruited to take part in the broadcasting of the Cricket World Cup.
Labour Party leader Andrew Little. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Labour says only 10 percent of the production crew are from New Zealand, with the rest being brought in from overseas to film the event, which starts this weekend.
The party leader Andrew Little said New Zealanders had the skills to do the job but were not being given the opportunity.
A joint venture, ESPN Starsports, is to record each of the 23 games being played in this country, and Mr Little said he had heard reports it had hired people from Asia on cheaper contracts to save money.
"My understanding is that they are on lower conditions than would have applied if they were Kiwi crew and that is one of the concerns and I just wonder how it is that, you know, these people must be on work visas, whether something more could have been done to ensure well, we've got skilled Kiwis who could do this work who could have been paid at a better rate."
He said he did not see why the Cricket World Cup was not being treated like the Rugby World Cup in 2011, where 60 percent of the crew were New Zealanders.
The tournament starts in Christchurch on Saturday.
