By Dan Satherley
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman has admitted the vandalism of National Party billboards was co-ordinated by the partner of his executive assistant.
Yesterday morning around 700 National billboards were stickered with phrases like 'The Rich Deserve More' and 'Drill it! Mine it! Sell it!'
• Live updates from the election campaign – click here
Dr Norman named Jolyon White as the one behind the billboards' defacing.
“I believe that the defacing of billboards is vandalism and condemn these actions," says Dr Norman.
"While the actions are those of individuals, not the Green Party, I am incredibly disappointed by what they have done, especially given my and the Green Party’s preference for a positive and clean campaign."
Green Party members allegedly recognised Mr White's voice when he did a radio interview this morning.
Mr White has since resigned as a member of the party, and his partner Anne Hein has stood down from her role in Dr Norman's office.
Co-leader Metiria Turei lodged an official complaint with the party, prompting Mr White to offer his resignation.
Ms Hein is now under investigation from Parliamentary Services.
Dr Norman says he has called Prime Minister John Key to apologise, and has offered the Green Party's assistance in fixing the signs. Mr Key has reportedly accepted the offer.
“It is my deep wish for this election to be fought clean and fair on the issues that face New Zealand," says Dr Norman.
“We have also advised the Electoral Commission and offered to assist with any enquiries that they may undertake.”
One of those involved in the stickering says no damage was done - to the billboards, not the Greens' brand.
"To our knowledge no billboards were harmed in the delivery of [our] message. The stickers can be easily peeled off," says 'Jo Henky', an anagram of 'John Key'.
"We do not represent a political party. We are private individuals who are disturbed by the policy directions of the current Government, and who seek to engage in the political process at election time in a light-hearted and hopefully humorous way."
Mr White says he was not involved in the actual stickering, instead organising the action and funding it to the tune of $500.
''It would be a shame if it had blowback on any political party. I would really love this to stay about the issues rather than about personality politics,'' says Mr White.
''In the lead-up to the election, a slogan like 'For a brighter future', at the moment, simply is not for everyone.''
3 News
source: newshub archive
