More Oravida endorsements from John Key

The use of a picture of John Key in an advertisement for Oravida’s scampi products in a Chinese airline magazine is further evidence of an unhealthily cosy relationship between the National Party and this company, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says.

“Oravida’s very close relationship with National and its Ministers has led it to use images of the Prime Minister in its marketing, not just once but a number of times.

“National has only itself to blame for this behaviour by Oravida. John Key has played several golf games with owner Stone Shi. Photographs of those games have been used to promote the company.

“Minister Judith Collins – whose husband is one of three directors of Oravida – has visited their Shanghai offices and opened their Auckland office. Pictures of both openings have been used in promotional material.

“In addition, many National MPs attended the Auckland opening and National Party President Peter Goodfellow hosted an Oravida-led delegation to New Zealand in 2012 which also featured on the company’s website.

“Put alongside Oravida’s $56,600 donation to the National Party, this speaks of a relationship that is too close by half.

“Whatever John Key might claim, his image is being used as an endorsement of Oravida in their advertising. The company is quite plainly using his face to promote its scampi products.

“John Key, Judith Collins and National have allowed their relationship with Oravida to become so cosy they have effectively given license to the company to use their connections to promote themselves. That type of cronyism is now the hallmark of this National Government,” David Cunliffe says.

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