'Shoot, shag or marry' game was ACT candidate Paul Henry being authentic Seymour says
ACT Party candidate Paul Henry is facing backlash from the Labour Party after participating in a 'shoot, shag or marry' radio game involving political leaders. While Labour condemned the comments as inappropriate and dangerous, ACT leader David Seymour defended Henry, characterizing the reaction as manufactured outrage over a common joke.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between political authenticity and the standards of conduct expected of public figures in a polarized environment.
The ACT Party is accusing Labour of "manufactured outrage" after it complained about new candidate Paul Henry's participation in a risqué radio game.
"People want politicians who are real," ACT leader David Seymour said. "Not ones that pretend to be outraged."
In an interview on Radio Hauraki on Thursday morning, Henry was asked which of three party leaders he would "shoot, shag or marry" between National's Christopher Luxon, Labour's Chris Hipkins, and New Zealand First's Winston Peters.
"You've got to shoot Hipkins, haven't you?" Henry responded. "You've got to shoot Hipkins. You've given me three choices, to be fair."
He went on to say the next choice was tricky. "It's got to be Winston. I'm shagging Winston."
It prompted quick condemnation from Labour, with Hipkins comparing Henry's conduct to a "circus audition".
"With political leaders around the world actually being shot and killed, Paul Henry should know better," Hipkins said.
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