Disappointment looms for A-listers and crank callers alike as Prime Minister John Key changes his cellphone number after it became public on the internet through the unauthorised publication of the so-called 'teapot tapes'.
Mr Key gave the ACT candidate John Banks his cellphone number during the ill-fated pre-election media stunt at an Auckland cafe in support of the National Party's embattled coalition partner.
Answering journalists' questions after his major speech on the economy in Auckland, Mr Key distanced himself from any action either to track down or prosecute whoever posted the tape to YouTube, or to have it removed.
However, a previous experience of having his cellphone number become widely available meant he would have to change a number that is a prized asset by would-be influencers of all stripes, and a magnet for disaffected citizens looking for a way to get a message to the top.
Mr Key offered an apology of sorts for his comment on the tape that New Zealand First party supporters were "dying off", noting that "older New Zealanders at some stage pass away" and were "typically" Winston Peters's main supporters.
"I would always phrase that in a better way in a public statement," Mr Key said.
"I would have said it better. I apologise for that."
Freelance cameraman Bradley Ambrose, whose device taped the conversation, said it was done unintentionally.
The Attorney-General has sought nearly $14,000 in costs from Ambrose after he went to the High Court asking for the conversation to be declared public.
Chief High Court judge Justice Helen Winkelmann said she would not make a decision on his request at the time.
NZN