"Don't worry... it will only be a 'technical' recession!" "What does that mean?" "It means technically... we're about to get shafted!" "Well, I hope you're pleased with yourself! Not only have you jeopardized the Olympics but you've also put our free trade deal at risk!" 20 March, 2008

On the left as a chirpy-looking hen sits Finance Minister, Michael Cullen, on a nest of Easter eggs which is labelled 'Economy'. He explains that people should not worry as it will only be a 'technical' recession. In the background a man explains to his wife that this means we are technically shafted. On the right Prime Minister, Helen Clark, angrily tells the Dalai Lama that he has not only jeopardized the Olympics but has also put New Zealand's free trade deal with China at risk. Refers to two current situations. The first is the economic downturn that began in the United States and the second refers to the Dalai Lama's being blamed for encouraging Tibetan independence demonstrations against China as the 2008 Olympic Games, to be held in China in July, approach. The China-Tibet problem also creates difficulties for the trade deal that Helen Clark is in the process of signing off with China because many people believe New Zealand should not have a free trade deal with China while China still has such a bad human rights record.

Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).