Sir Howard talking the blues

Entertainer Sir Howard Morrison has urged New Zealanders to lift the country's flagging moral standards.

The singer, who performed at Auckland's Civic Theatre last night at a concert to celebrate Dame Malvina Major's 50 years on the stage, said he despaired at the greed and lies of the country's politicians.

"I have read so much garbage, tinged with greed, and absolute quest for power that I think we are losing the sense of values, the morality and the real issues of the people," he said.

Sir Howard declined to name names or parties.

"I was brought up after the Depression years and I have seen the pain that we have recovered from and developed as pioneers, well my father and grandfather anyway."

Last year Sir Howard accused National leader Don Brash of using Maori as a political football over the issue of Te Arawa ownership of the Rotorua lake beds, describing him as a "political animal" who was demeaning Maori.

"At least Maori know where the enemy is," he said in October.

In a full-page advertisement in yesterday's Herald on Sunday, Sir Howard called for people to create a better environment for future generations.

"Turn to your neighbour, Pakeha, Maori, Pacific Islander or any other origin and ask: 'What can we do together to make our country a nation to celebrate?"' the advertisement read.