This country's history of a free, independent media needs to be maintained, Labour leader Chris Hipkins says.
Hipkins was referring to an RNZ journalist revealing that an Indonesian government official attempted to bribe and intimidate him at the recent 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders' meeting in Port Vila.
"In New Zealand we've got a very proud history of a free, fair and independent press - most of the time - and I think that we should continue with that tradition," he told journalists after announcing a new $100 million agritech fund during a visit to Auckland University this morning.
"I shouldn't jest, I actually do believe it's really important that New Zealand's media is still free, fair and independent and I don't believe that bribery of journalists in any circumstances is acceptable."
Carmel Sepuloni says it is unacceptable that kind of behaviour would occur, "and our media would never buy into something like that".
She says she will be asking questions after hearing about the matter.
Meanwhile, Christopher Luxon is in Christchurch and intends on announcing a new policy at the Arts Centre. Following on from his visit to the Basin Reserve yesterday, he will head to another cricket venue, the Hagley Oval, later.
Look back over RNZ's blog for 6 September for the day's election updates:
