Kerre Woodham: We know you're better, Kiri, but don't be a cow

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Dame Kiri was right about Susan Boyle. Just as she is about Hayley Westenra and Andrea Bocelli. They are not of her world.

She is - or was - an internationally renowned opera soprano; they have lovely voices. We can blame the media for Dame Kiri's headline-grabbing slapdown.

Journalists constantly ask the great Dame to comment on the latest manufactured star because they know what they're going to get - a contemptuous sneering quote that will outrage the masses.

But to be fair to the popera singers, they've never claimed to be in her league. To compare Kiri with Hayley is like comparing apples and pears.

Or sour lemons with sweet oranges because, let's face it, Kiri's a cow.

She is beautiful, talented and her golden pipes have taken her a long way from Gisborne and we little people must never forget that.

When you have been so blessed in so many respects, does it hurt to show a little kindness to other people?

Would it have hurt Kiri to bestow her benevolence on poor wee Susan? Kiri sneering at Susan was akin to pulling the wings off a butterfly.

A pretty face don't make a pretty heart, as Robert Palmer sang - but then, Kiri would probably say he can't sing, either.