Chief executive Steve Tew claims the New Zealand Rugby Union has helped the Highlanders on and off the field and now it is up to the region to show it wants the side.
A record financial loss came as no surprise to the New Zealand Rugby Union, which is predicting more pain but a better bottom line over coming years.
The NZRU announced a record loss of $15.9 million for 2009 at its annual meeting in Wellington, attributing it to the impact of the global recession, along with investments in hosting the 2011 rugby World Cup.
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) is arrogant for refusing to apologise to former Maori players for excluding them from past tours to South Africa on racial grounds.
