- Jim Young, Belmont
I say 'pull the other one' to the cameraman who says he inadvertently recorded the conversation between John Key and John Banks at Cafe Urban. The security must be zilch, as anything left sitting on the table should have been removed before Key and Banks sat down. In future, better check all salt and pepper pots, don't know what could be hiding in there inadvertently or otherwise.
- P. Salvador, West Harbour
Suggesting the tape was accidentally placed and set to record has positioned the HoS as totally lacking any integrity and better suited to Murdoch ownership. I just cannot abide by your clear and inappropriate political bias and your shameless trickery and deceit.
- Graeme Osborne, Parnell
I do not believe for one moment that the cameraman left the recording device on the table next to Key and Banks accidentally. I agree with the Prime Minister that it was News of the World tactics. Although I could not understand why the device wasn't noticed by either Key or Banks.
- D. N. Glasson, Helensville
The two men did have a conversation about politics and it's their right to talk about anything under the sun, even if it was orchestrated. If they had wanted their conversation recorded they would have allowed the press to stay. It's my guess that the cameraman who left the recording device has an agenda of mischief. Why did he not try to recover the device earlier? He could have easily told the security staff that the device was his and that it was recording. If he was a man of integrity, once he found that a personal conversation between two people had been recorded, shouldn't he have stopped listening and contacted the speakers to apologise for the oversight or erased the recording completely? To all those wanting the contents of the tape released, how would you like your private conversations with a friend recorded and made public? Shame, too, to the press for indulging in such sleaze.
- Margaret Scott, Pakuranga
No, I do not think this tape should be released into the public domain. It is a private conversation, which was taped without their knowledge and possibly illegally. For the cameraman to say it was done accidentally, is very hard to believe. I am sure if he had disclosed what was in the bag left on the table, it would have been retrieved for him.
If the Herald on Sunday or any other media organization decides to release this tape, it will be another example of the continued degradation of standards previously held.
- Martha Johnstone, via email
PUBLISH THE TAPE
The Prime Minister wanted a private conversation with Banks, yet it was in full view of the media. Key used the media to his advantage. So what happened next seemed to be all the media's fault. What a way to get a vote. You want privacy you go behind closed doors. So, Key you are not my cup of tea.
- Margaret Tuffnell, Tokoroa
John Key sends a media advisory that he will be meeting John Banks for a symbolic cup of tea at 2.30pm. The event is designed to cement the outcome of the nation's general election and secure John Key as the Prime Minister for the next three years. He doesn't expect the conversation to be recorded as this is a photo opportunity. Now the deliberately public 'private' conversation could become public, he cries foul and complains to the police. This is the Prime Minister who won't allow any media engagement where he cannot control the outcome. It's time the media stood up to his manipulation.
- Jill Ovens, Mangere East
Go on, publish and be damned. Haven't you got any balls?
- Alan Baker, Hamilton
If you are holding a transcript of a conversation which contains information pertinent to an imminent general election, it is your absolute duty to the people of New Zealand to release the contents of that transcript.
- Ron de Kieviet, Henderson
Isn't it a little ironic that Key is claiming privacy for his conversation so soon after the Government passed legislation retrospectively legitimising covert surveillance on private property?
- Nan Seuffert, Hamilton
