By Kate Lynch
New Zealand’s most notorious pornographer is planning to have bare breasted women on show over Anzac weekend.
Steve Crow’s Erotica Expo, complete with Boobs on Bikes parade, is being planned for Palmerston North, Levin and Wanganui.
Patrons at the Palmerston North RSA told 3 News Anzac weekend is a time for remembrance and respect, not porn stars, sex toys and naked bikers.
“I think it is terrible,” said one war veteran.
“But we can’t do anything about it. The RSA, the city council won’t do anything about it – so that’s the end of it.”
Mr Crow says there is nothing wrong with the timing of the events and he will not be toning them down.
But returned servicemen are angry Mr Crow will kick off Anzac weekend with the Boobs on Bikes parade, and are even less impressed that the Erotica Expo will run in Palmerston North on Anzac day.
Mr Crow tells 3 News he doesn’t believe the timing is offensive.
“Yes there is a clash, but it wasn’t deliberate,” he says.
“We tried to get other dates, but the Palmerston North Convention Centre is fully booked through March and April. Those were the only days we could get.”
Mr Crow says he means no disrespect to war veterans.
“These are the guys that went to war 50, 60 years ago. They fought for the freedoms that we as a society now enjoy. One of those freedoms is to be able to do things like Boobs on Bikes or Erotica Expo.”
Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor says he would prefer neither event took place, but the law is on Mr Crow’s side.
“I think it is particularly distasteful wanting to do this kind of thing on Anzac day,” he says.
“I know our community on the whole is not supportive of that, but at the end of the day we are bound by law.”
3 News contacted Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws, who said his council does not act as a moral censor.
Mr Laws says he’s sure some viewers will be offended, but others will be titillated.
3 News