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Teapot tape election's defining issue

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Sat, 19 Nov 2011 9:04a.m.

Dr Edwards says New Zealand First has been a benefactor of the debacle

Dr Edwards says New Zealand First has been a benefactor of the debacle

A politics lecturer says the teapot tape has become the defining issue, just one week out from the election.

Freelance cameraman, Bradley Ambrose, recorded the cafe conversation between Prime Minister John Key and ACT's Epsom candidate John Banks eight days ago.

University of Otago's Dr Bryce Edwards says what was meant to be a strategic endorsement of John Banks by the Prime Minister has evolved into much more.

“It’s become more than just the content of the tapes. It’s become about media ethics, it’s become about politician ethics, the relationship between Act and National and it’s been about New Zealand First and their chances of getting back in,” says Dr Edwards.

He says New Zealand First has been one of the big benefactors of the saga, surging towards the all-important five percent party vote threshold.

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Comments

21 Nov 2011 07:51a.m.

Ruz wrote:

I agee with Edwards. The issue is not about how the tape was obtained (we will have to wait for the courts to decide), but how honest John Key is. If he is willing to obfuscate and answer starightforward questions with weasel words then how do we know that he will stick to his policies? The same applies to John Banks - his recent interview with Patrick Gower about what he said about Brash is classic TV and will end up being played often when it comes time to write the history of this election.

20 Nov 2011 01:08p.m.

B Thomson wrote:

Why the obsession with privacy , when its plain to see more the 5 microphones and/or recording devices within Key and Banks. That's not a private conversation.

19 Nov 2011 09:07p.m.

Robin wrote:

This is just a diversion by the media. They are on the back foot and their explanation is not going to be accepted by the public that this recording device was innocently left there. Get real. They know they are in deep sh.. and are responding by attacking the PM who quite rightly is saying the journalists actions are criminal. Too bad if the journalist thinks its slanderous. Stand fast John Key and don't back down. The public will read between lines. The Media are going to intrude on our privacy like they have in UK. Let's get them to pull in horns now so we don't have a corruption scandal. Just get on with real issues regarding our economy and don't be sidetracked.. Stand firm...

19 Nov 2011 08:45p.m.

jackp wrote:

Winston Peters has been up around 7 percent this last year according to the Horizon Polls. His chances of getting in have always been good.. very misleading article. Also, I just received a call from Fairfax polling people. She wouldn't interview me because I was over 40. Very misleading and I can see why they get it wrong because she missed something... I vote.

19 Nov 2011 06:00p.m.

Paul wrote:

Yet another poll out today which shows that you're wrong wrong wrong.
I would say to media who think this is a story, wake up, listen and move on

19 Nov 2011 04:25p.m.

rich anderson wrote:

Guys..., work this through slowly. We out here in the day to day real world dont give a monkeys about the damn tape. We would rather you spend time and effort in explaining policy and pledges from the various parties so that we can make an informed vote. Geez, this isnt hard. Stop being dramatic and trying to make god knows what from this tape story. AND for your information, I probably will be voting Green anyway. Just sick of the tape!!!!

19 Nov 2011 10:14a.m.

Joan wrote:

I hope people don't let this divert them from the important issues this election - it would be sad if the outcome of the election was influenced by something that is really not that important in the context of electing a government for the next 3 years.

19 Nov 2011 09:56a.m.

Pete George wrote:

It's early to be calling 'the defining issue", especially something that is minmor and largely over-hyped.