PC job came as surprise to me too, says Mapp

PC eradicator Wayne Mapp admits he only found out he had the unusual job when National Party leader Don Brash phoned him in Canada to tell him, the same day he unveiled his caucus reshuffle.

The Herald understands news of the role, including its provocative title, also came as a surprise to most of National's MPs.

But Dr Mapp says while he might not have known there would be a specific job as Political Correctness Eradicator, it was a subject he had lobbied Dr Brash about for months.

Already Dr Mapp intends to change how he describes the job, saying feedback indicated worries around talk of majority rights.

He said he did not want to be exclusionary, and remarks by author Alan Duff had left him concerned.

"Alan Duff goes way too far ... I was shocked when I heard what he said."

Mr Duff told radio last week he was sick of hearing about minority rights, and wondered why buildings needed ramps just in case a disabled person turned up.

"Who bloody well cares about minority rights," Mr Duff said.

Dr Mapp said he would be issuing a paper on eradicating political correctness.