KEY POINTS:
In a week where some of us are all Veitchy-ed out, NewstalkZB chose to inject a little humour into their usually staid news reports by announcing on Monday's 5pm bulletin that MP Rodney Hide is banned from Newmarket (the heart of his Epsom electorate) for wearing a bright yellow jacket described as "ghastly beyond belief."
For those who didn't read Spy on Sunday, Rodders has taken to sporting a seriously hideous mellow yellow sports jacket with the words "The Guts To Do What's Right" emblazoned on the pocket. He looks like a throwback to Howard Cunningham and the Leopard Lodge fraternity on Happy Days. So not a cool cat.
Self-declared "mayor" of Newmarket Cameron Brewer (who officially acts as CEO of the Newmarket Business Association) reckons he's fond of Rodney, just not his jacket. He's banned him wearing the garment anywhere in Newmarket and reckons he has security on hand to move the politician on. And he's threatening to make a citizen's arrest if he sees Hide out and about in the obscene outfit.
Can he do that? Isn't that a job for the fashion police, who, let's face it, should have breathalised Hide at the wardrobe.
Brewer told us Newmarket needs to strongly protect its fashionable reputation. "Rodney's latest costume is completely out of character with the area and it's unacceptable from someone in a leadership role. To be getting around in a crass canary campaign coat is simply offensive. He looks like an official from the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games."
Poor Rodders. The jacket is his latest stunt to promote the Act party. He's the only one with the Guts to wear something so repulsive.
Though not as repulsive as Keith Locke who, in 2005, jingle-jangled through Broadway wearing only a flimsy g-string and strategically placed brushstrokes after making a bet he'd win the Epsom electorate. He lost; hence the streak.
Where were the volunteers threatening a citizen's arrest then?
Auckland film festival photos
The 40th Auckland International Film Festival kicked off last week with a glamourous party at The Civic. Click here for photos of attendees. Photos by Norrie Montgomery.
Rachel Glucina
