Wednesday, 22 November 2006
Business says no to any Keith Locke nudity threats ahead of stadium decision
On the eve of the Auckland City Council deciding whether or not to support a waterfront stadium, Auckland's leading
shopping district has written to Green MP Keith Locke pleading with him to keep his clothes on if the decision goes
against his wishes.
Last year after Mr Locke lost the election in Epsom to Rodney Hide, the Green MP streaked down Broadway, Newmarket
wearing nothing more than a g-string and body-paint.
"We respect that Mr Locke is keen for Auckland's local authorities to kill off the waterfront stadium option. However we
urge him not to try to blackmail councillors with threats of indecent exposure. For the sake of our international
reputation he needs to keep his lobbying above the waistline," said Newmarket Business Association head Cameron Brewer.
"With Christmas only a month away, there are increasing numbers of innocent shoppers and school children on Broadway. It
has been a tough year in retail and we can't afford to have Mr Locke scaring off Newmarket shoppers again."
Mr Brewer said he'd heard worrying rumours that Mr Locke was poised to officially issue the "horrifying ultimatum" as a
last ditch attempt to sway the decision makers.
"While threatening to streak could be an effective way to put councillors off the waterfront, we ask him not to
implicate Newmarket. We are still traumatised by last year's display. It affected our reputation as an attractive
shopping destination, and so such antics are now banned on Broadway. If he wants to make such a statement, I encourage
him to parade his wares down Queen Street," said Mr Brewer.
ENDS