新西兰英语 200 Rugby World Cup on TV

　　When New Zealand hosts the Rugby World Cup in 2011, which TV channel will show the games?
We know that TVNZ does not have enough money to show the Commonwealth¹ Games next year so does it have enough money for the Rugby World Cup? Both TVNZ and TV3 made an offer to televise the rugby but the surprise last week was Maori TV. With $3 million from the Ministry² of Maori Development, Te Puni Kokiri, Maori TV made an offer to televise the 16 main games live. About 10% of the commentary³ would be in Te Reo, the Maori language.
Maori TV is hoping that people who watch the rugby will continue to watch Maori TV. Dr Pita Sharples, co-leader of the Maori Party, says that this is good use of Maori Development money. Shane Jones of the Labour Party, however, says that Maori Development money is to help Maori families.
The Prime⁴ Minister, John Key, said that 100% of New Zealanders must be able to watch the Rugby World Cup, and Maori TV can only reach 90% of places. Smaller towns like Russell and Queenstown cannot receive Maori TV.
Today, TVNZ and TV3 have made a new offer to share the games, 6 games each. The International Rugby Board will meet in Ireland later this year to choose the successful offer.

1 commonwealth   

n.共和国，联邦，共同体

参考例句：

• He is the chairman of the commonwealth of artists.他是艺术家协会的主席。
• Most of the members of the Commonwealth are nonwhite.英联邦的许多成员国不是白人国家。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 commentary   

n.评论，评注；实况广播报导，现场口头评述

参考例句：

• He is giving the commentary on the basketball game.他正在对篮球赛作评论。
• His running commentary on the football match was excellent.他对这次足球赛所作的实况报道十分精彩。

4 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。