Wellington, March 17 NZPA - The New Zealand Olympic Committee and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey believe Auckland could have won the right to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games if the Government hadn't sunk the bid by refusing to fund it.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has confirmed the Government will not be backing Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - The Government is expected to decide this week whether it will back Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. An announcement is likely after Sports Minister Murray McCully meets officials and promoters today or tomorrow.

Wellington, March 15 NZPA - Rumours that the Government has decided not to back Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be confirmed or denied later this week, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - The Government hopes next year's Commonwealth Games in India will be available on free-to-air television despite TVNZ saying it can't afford to broadcast them.