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.