Politician happy to be egg-head

NZ Herald

5 Apr, 2015 05:00 PMQuick Read

The Whittaker's Big Egg Hunt is organised to raise money for Auckland's Starship children's hospital. The super-sized egg painted by Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson is just one of 100 that will be placed throughout city centres - in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. For those keen to get in on the hunt, there are prizes for those who find the eggs, on display until April 7. The eggs will also be auctioned - 80 on Trade Me and 20 at a gala cocktail evening on March 31.

Steven Joyce says he has been called many things in his political life and he can now add "egg-head" to the list.

The Minister of Science and Innovation agreed to a request by Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson to have a likeness of his head made into a giant egg sculpture for charity.

"I think it would have been very difficult for my face to be shaped into an egg but he seems to have managed it," Mr Joyce said.

The "Mr Fix-It Egg" is one of dozens being exhibited around the country as part of the Starship Foundation's Great Easter Egg Hunt.

Mr Joyce said the Starship hospital was a "great facility" and both his children had benefited from its services.

He said his egg, which was being auctioned on Trade Me, would make "an excellent lounge ornament" but conceded that "other people might have a different view". It had attracted a highest bid of $525 last night.

Mr Joyce confirmed the bid was not from anyone he knew, and was definitely not from a family member.

"I don't even think that my wife knows it's on Trade Me yet."