Fletcher, David 1952- : "The PM wants you to justify spending 2 million on a waka made of plastic!" ... 8 April 2011

'The Politician' cartoon strip. An adviser tells the minister that the PM wants him to justify spending 2 million on a waka made of plastic. The minister retorts angrily that he wouldn't have approved the spending had he known the fact, not that it was to be made of plastic but that it had to be justified. Context - The government has hit back at criticism over a $2 million venue centre in the shape of a waka for the Rugby World Cup (RWC), defending the cost as necessary to host a world-class event. Co-leader of the Maori Party Pita Sharples says the waka will promote Maori culture during the Rugby World Cup and at other events (like the America's Cup). Labour Party MP Shane Jones asks "How can Dr Sharples and Prime Minister John Key actually believe that this expensive indulgence is a positive advertisement for Maori? The truth is they don't but they're both working together in a desperate effort to keep the Maori Party afloat.

Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).