Green Party co-leader James Shaw admits it was "possibly a bad idea" as he was filmed struggling to wrap his mouth around a monster ice cream.
Out on the campaign trail on Tuesday, Shaw dropped in at popular Christchurch store Rollickin' Gelato, which has been running a political 'poll' based on ice cream.
Each party leader has their own flavour, with Shaw represented with 'A Shaw High' made with pistachio and hemp brownies. Rollickin' Gelato's scoop poll then tallies up which party leader's ice cream sells the most.
Shaw was filmed tackling a double Shaw special. Fortunately, a Newshub camera was at hand to capture video of the event.
"Mmmmmh," Shaw says. "It's really good! I haven't tried it before. It's delicious."
And while Kiwis are known for their fondness of big green cones, Shaw admits that tackling the giant double-cone in public might not have been the best idea.
"Politicians eating - never a good look," he says, before taking another lick. "Possibly a bad idea."
It was a view shared on Twitter.
"Oh no," tweeted former Green Party communications and policy director David Cormack.
"Why would you allow this photo to be taken."
Shaw isn't the first politician captured enjoying a meal. A notorious photo of Sir John Key shows him with a hot dog inserted deep into his mouth.
"It's giving me a lot of Ed Milliband-bacon sandwich vibes," another commented.
