Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
18 September 2013
PM’s Focus Should Be China – Not Royalty
Prime Minister John Key should be heading to China to restore New Zealand’s reputation over recent contamination scares
in the dairy industry rather than hanging around the Royal Family, says New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.
The Prime Minister and his family left New Zealand last night to holiday with the Queen at her summer retreat in
Balmoral, Scotland, this weekend.
Mr Peters says there are far more important tasks for Mr Key than appearing on the royal scene like some sort of
colonial yokel from down under.
“Over the past few weeks our reputation in China has slumped but rather than spending time in China, restoring New
Zealand’s reputation and helping the dairy industry, he would rather go to a photo op with the royal family.
“Not only that, the Prime Minister is also taking this trip during a House sitting session which means he will miss five
days of Parliament.
“As well, more jobs are lost every week, the high dollar is crippling exporters, recreational fishers are losing their
birth right, the housing situation is a mess and Christchurch people are still trying to rebuild their city.
“All of these groups will have to make do with a photo of the royal family on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page,” says
Mr Peters.
ENDS