Desperate Nats Use Sports Stars – What is It Costing Us?

New Zealand First is calling on the government to come clean on how much money it is spending to promote the flag change.

“In the latest piece of propaganda, sports stars and former PMs are among those rolled out to say they support a change,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“But it is obvious the National Government is deeply involved with this video. It was made by Change the NZ Flag, and authorised by one-time National Party candidate Lewis Holden, who hosted a meeting of nervous National MPs about poor referendum polling for a change.

“This goes against the government’s repeated statements that any campaigns would be to inform people of their options, not to promote a change.

“The government must answer some simple questions:

“Did any Cabinet Minister or MP phone/email or talk to any of the people in the pro-change video to persuade them to take part? Did any of

National’s elected members play any role in getting these sports people and others to take part? Was any taxpayer money used?

“Why is a pro-change, former National candidate, meeting members of the National caucus at all?

“It appears that the original estimate of $26m for two referendums is far too low as the government continues to campaign. The Prime Minister could have stopped the spending but he went ahead with a second referendum when polls showed many Kiwis did not like the process, some thought it was a distraction and a waste of money, and others felt the national flag represented our history and should stay.

“Voters don’t need any more coercing from the pro-change lobby in the National government, which has split over the issue, they can make up their own minds. Leave them alone.”

ENDS

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