The National MP's leadership bid has put his broad Kiwi accent back in the spotlight. Henderson-Massey local board chair and 'proud Westie' Shane Henderson, writing for The Spinoff, thinks we should all lay off the jokes.
I can empathise a little with Simon Bridges. Not with his politics, but with his accent.
Last week Bridges announced his intention to stand for election as leader of the National party, and the social media world was abuzz. The issue? The left in particular seemed to fixate on how he turns his i's into u's when he speaks. This was used as evidence he couldn't possibly win an election.
Like Bridges, I grew up in a working class environment in a working class community in West Auckland. Bridges may have long left behind his roots but, like me, he retains what many describe as a "working class" accent.
Full disclosure, I am a typical West Auckland leftie and proudly represent my community in local government. I've long been a fan of dropping the odd "bro" and "mate" into conversation, and my thick accent was under the pump during a recent trip overseas when even my friends had a bit of an issue. But in my community, I dare say, it has been more of a help than a hindrance.