'Oh, come on': ACT's Paul Henry divides MPs over 'shoot Hipkins' line
ACT candidate Paul Henry sparked controversy after making a 'shoot, shag, marry' comment about political leaders on a radio show. While Labour leader Chris Hipkins condemned the rhetoric as irresponsible, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and ACT leader David Seymour dismissed the outrage as manufactured.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing debates regarding the boundaries of political rhetoric and the use of shock-value humor in election campaigns.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has slammed ACT candidate Paul Henry for saying he would shoot him in an on-air radio game of "shoot, shag, marry", but the Prime Minister says he doesn't think New Zealanders would take much offence. Henry, the controversial broadcaster who is standing as an ACT list candidate at November's election, was asked on Radio Hauraki this morning who he would shoot, shag or marry out of Luxon, Hipkins and NZ First leader Winston Peters. "I mean, you know, you've got to shoot Hipkins, haven't you?" Henry said, before he added, "it's got to be Winston. I'm shagging Winston." In a statement, Hipkins said Henry should have known better. <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/paul-henrys-radio-comments-add-to-debate-over-political-rhetoric"><b>Paul Henry's radio comments add to debate over political rhetoric - Watch on TVNZ+</b></a> "With political leaders around the world actually being shot and killed, Paul Henry should know better.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in