KEY POINTS:
Education Minister Steve Maharey says it was "a slip of the tongue" yesterday in Parliament when he said "f*** you" to Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman.
Mr Maharey uttered the profanity as he sat down after answering questions from Dr Coleman, and possibly thought his microphone was off.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Steve Johnson
I thought he was very restrained.
Tim Spooner
Why not say it is Parliament? It is what he's thinking all the time, to whoever has the temerity to take a position other than his own.It just illustrates his contempt for everybody but himself.In fact, the remark was aimed at all of us..
Jeni
The minister should smarten up. Imagine if he was the foreign minister saying F.. you to foreign dignatories just because he got a bit hot under the collar. I would have thought the education minister would have better language skills. Just as well he apologised; doesn't matter if you're a Labour or Nat supporter manners are manners.
Hold then to account
Whoops indeed! Any member of parliament, as a minister of the state, one that has been elected by the people to represent the people, must conduct themselves in a way that is representative of the people, even children. Clearly NZ society doesn't view swearing as acceptable in the public arena - it's not OK in schools, courts of justice, parliament, professional communications, etc. etc. When NZ citizens put their hand up and say "vote for me" and then get elected, they have a duty to act honourably and professionally before the nation, in actions and in speech. It can't get any simpler than that.
George
Oh my an MP said a bad word! I hope he refrains from such language in the future. I also hope he never goes to the toilet, passes wind or has sex. Such things are so blatantly human and must never be undertaken by our leaders.
Andrew
Imagine if all politicians spoke their minds all the time. If would be totally "inappropriate" but superbly transparent and honest. The expectation of "code of conduct" just warrants an expressive mask for politicians to hide behind. It's a lot harder to lie when you cannot justify your inhibited expression (which is what lying requires) by so-called polite and decent "standards".
Jo
Deb, get your facts straight – Steve Maharey was NOT being called names by the opposition. His "slip-of-the-tongue" outburst at Jonathan Coleman occurred after being questioned about whether it was ok for the Broadcasting Minister to threaten to complain to the Radio New Zealand Board about comments on Radio New Zealand's Morning Report.
Nita
Get over it people! It might not be appropriate but he is only saying what most of us say all day in workplaces, homes,etc. Don't we all use the F word from time to time?
Danny Rickard
This is not a storm in a teacup. Viewers who watched TV3 News last night would note the Minister has a history of using the f word at inappropriate times. He has patronised us by calling it a slip of the tongue. Like so many of his colleagues, he is in denial and cannot accept being caught out when doing something wrong. New Zealanders are too complacent. Wake up. If this is the public face of a government minister.. God knows what he is like behind the scenes.
MS
If it was the Prime Minister who said the F word would people have a problem with it? Probably! If a child said the F word in class as he did would the teacher have a problem with it? Yes! Knowing the cameras are rolling in parliament the members are old enough to know better, and also knowing young and old are likely to watch. What kind of role models are they for the country by setting this kind of example?
Amanda
Hee hee! It reflects nothing about his character except that he is just a normal guy - exactly the type of person we should have representing us in parliament. Who cares if somebody goes a little bit potty-mouth when they think nobody can hear? We all do it.
Yolanda
Our poor poor journalists. To think, they will never reached the heights of journalism! This is the best news story they have to offer? Well then nothing really does happen around here. Get over yourselves, at least he is passionate about what he stands for!
Nic
Whether the "F" word is used widely is irrelevant. This government does not hesitate to get involved in driving a social agenda - i.e. dictating what is acceptable and how we should live our lives. If it wishes to proscribe standards, then it needs to demonstrate them; not overlooking the irony that the Minister responsible for literacy in our young is incapable of more articulate ways to express himself.
Richard McGrath
Good on him for letting us see he is quite human too.
Graham
The thought police will have you believe that this guy needs "anger management" ..."counselling"...."behaviour modification" etc etc. When in reality they need to get off their high horse and grow up. Swearing is such a large part of popular culture (and often is not meant to actually be offensive) it beggars belief that this has even made more than 1/2 a column inch in the back page of some tabloid that is best used for fish and chip wrapper. Report on really offensive issues like the violent and malicious crimes committed against our children etc or against the defenceless many in the world subjected to Mugabe style regimes of the world. It never ceases to amaze me that narrow minded tree huggers with a PC view of the world (probably supporters of no smacks for Junior when he / she is behaving like a little sh*t) get so much press.
Steve Withers
MPs should not swear in the House. I know they work hard and can be very tired which can make it difficult to deal with frustration or the games other MPs play at times. It is no big deal but should be discouraged. Maybe all Mr. Maharey needs is a few early nights and a good rest.
NB
That is so not on! If I said that to someone at work, I would probably be fired or on a final warning! They should be setting the example for the workplace.
Norm
Points to remember: 1. Maharey is Minister of Education, a position that requires high standards and a display of high standards. 2. The rules of the House say that profanities are not permitted, thus, his actions were out of order. If profanities are allowed, then it would be no problem. As a senior minister he should have known better. 3. All mics are "hot", even when you know most of the time when the attention is not focused on you that it is switched off... he forgot a basic convention held amongst most positions regarding mics. The Labour Government is wearing down into a tired old political party whose teflon coat is all but disappeared. A politician who acts in this manner is proof that its time for them to move on, start afresh the election after next!
Thomas
Shameful and totally lacking in professionalism! I expect more from politicians and leaders. It is fine for commoners to err, but one so high in office, who represents the country should have high enough a restrain to hold his tongue. When you are conducting official business, there is never ever any need to put in personal assertion, especially crude and blunt non complimentary ones. An unruly word spoken at a wrong place at the wrong time, will be even more damaging than a tarnish reputation.
Jason
When you have adults squabbling like children, as politicians do when they get together in "the house" it is only natural that the language reflect there behaviour, it is no big deal maybe they would be more interesting to watch if the language was a bit more colourful on a regular basis.
Adrienne Murphy
Yes its over and done with - let it be. My only concern was that it was not a good example as Minister of Education to be swearing when we are trying to discourage the students from the same.
Cathie
We are a country out of control. What gives the Ministers of cabinet the right to sit there are tell us what is law when they can't even get through the day without ending up on the news desecrating another Ministers life like it has no meaning. When are the heads of our country going to grow up and run this beautiful country properly? …… Bring in an anti-smacking law! What an absolute load of rubbish - thats whats wrong with todays society - no one has the right to discipline anymore where it matters - in the schools, in your home, in the services etc. Unfortunately when the media relays the news it allows us to put idiots like our Ministers up where everyone can see them. We have bred a culture that still believes everything the Ministers in cabinet do is okay and as the numerous daily news bulletins show, anything that happens in parliament, including verbal abuse to one another is acceptable, however what happens if a child mimics these "outburst of words" and gets a clip on the ears or a smack on the bottom as a discipline measure from their parents? The parent will end up in a lot of hot water and the child then thinks it is okay because Mum or Dad has been disciplined. Where is the logic in that?
Gary
Blah blah - who cares? Nothing else worth reporting on today then!
Ian
For goodness sake - get a life, those that are so offended! am not surprised Steve Maharey swore at the other lot, I know just how frustrating some people like that can be, especially when they act like a dog with a bone and won't let go of something that should be disposed of and never see the light of day again. It is nice to see the people that we pay are only human after all. Parliament has been called the Bear Pit, you can't expect it to be all love and cuddles.
Dean
While I believe it is mildly acceptable to use the f word in certain places and under certain conditions I do not believe parliament should be one of those places. MPs are the leaders and lawmakers of our nation and as such they must been seen to be setting a good example and image for our people and the rest of the world to follow. There needs to be certain standards maintained at all times both inside and outside the grounds of parliament by our government officials otherwise they will only be looked upon as being even bigger clowns than what they already appear to be in the eyes of many ordinary people.
M OSullivan
It just goes to show, that many of the worlds governments are nothing more than social misfortunes and that the world is not at peace, because many people are not at peace with themselves.
Barbara M
Not on. Should have better control of his temper than that. Maybe he needs a course in anger management?
Toby
Brilliant!
John Budge
Absolutely unsurprised, which says an awful lot about the present state of this government. Also unsurprised with Helen Clarkes "so what" attitude to it.
Mary
Not acceptable at all from an elected Member of Parliament. MPs should be above language such as that used recently by the Minister of Education Steve Maharey in parliament. Good leadership should be by example, but obviously when we have foul mouth politicians mouthing off obscenities in parliament towards other members, then we have neither good leadership nor example! That says it all about the decadence in our society at present!
Margie
I think it is rude and inappropriate in parliament, however, I do not think it is that important to make it to the national news! By all means discipline the minister in the house, let him apologize, but it does not need to be given any extra attention beyond that.
Deb
Good on him. I think it is high time someone stood up to all this childish playground bullying that goes on in parliament and told them all to F- You. The opposition needs to grow up and practice what they preach. It is all very well to call the Labour MPs names but when they retaliate it is all over the news. The media also need to grow up and realise what is actually news and what is a waste of paper and ink. This topic is a waste of paper and ink. Get over it, the word is out there and is used in everyday dealings with both what most call the "lower class" and also the snobby "upper class". Society has decided that the F word is now semi acceptable so society should not blow a gasket when it is used by a normal person and yes they are normal people.
R Southern
A leader of education obviously uses this kind of language hows what the future of NZ is going to but a country gets the government it deserves.
Val
Unfortunately the "f" word is heard a lot now in tv etc and is more common than a few years back. Personally I dont like it and think the minister should have controlled himself more, our standards are going down the drain and it is possible to have a decent conversation or debate without lowering ourselves into the gutter. You wouldnt expect your lawyer or accountant to say that to you, our politicians really need to grow up and set a better example.
Joseph
I wonder if the people who find it offensive that a senior MP says the F word in parliament are the same people who find nothing offensive in smacking children? Perhaps my question is, according to the comments of Teresa Wetere, "low class": now that is offensive.
Marcus
Good on him. I think anyone with a problem with that the Minister said should heed his advice. Lighten up.
RickyJJ
I bet these same people who have a problem with swearing are the ones who want to smack their kids. What's that saying again? Words will break your bones but sticks and stones will never hurt you.
Scott Joseph
Swearing is just the latest manifestation of obscenity emerging from our MPs—it is usually more subtle. For example, the smacking bill and the "floating bedpan in the Tasman" are both obscenities, just cloaked in more decorous language. I prefer it when they show their real selves. I prefer my hypocrisy and idiocy without dross.
Tom
No big deal, there are plenty of people in Palmerston North using this expression as Maharey is behind a gigantic wind farm within the city boundary and in the city's water supply which will destroy property and amenity values for hundreds of residents.
E. Stanley
I can not believe how hypocritical everyone is being. How many people out there have never told someone to get f-d after a heated exchange like that? Everyone is human. Sure, there are times when our politicians act like brats, but just how sterile do we want our politicians to be? Its good to know that some politicians are able to show their more human side...after all, I am sure many of these guys utter profanities, they just don't get caught with their microphones on...
Lauren Macquet
Definitely a storm in a tea cup. The comment was obviously said in the heat of the moment. He apologised. It is not common language in the house of parliament. It is not news, there are more important things going on in the world to waste time on such trivial issues.
Kris
Lol, an MP swears and all of a sudden its national news, so what who gives a fly leap? Nothing to do with your upbringing, that is a lame reason. The majority of us do swear, its not as if we are hearing worse language now on tv.... bigger issues to worry about than a swearing MP!
Wayne Fergusson
You can be an expert at deceiving people but you run the risk that eventually the truth will reveal true character. An apology is appropriate for valid reason.
Simon
The F word is the most versatile and powerful word in the English language. Its use should be encouraged! I applaud the minister for his colourful and interesting language. F- you too!
Colin England
Oh My God - our politicians happen to be human? Who would have thought it.
Richard
This is just so typical of the smart alec contemptuous attitude and arrogance that we have come to expect from this Labour government. How dare anyone question their intelligence (or lack of it)? I mean -has anyone ever known them to be wrong with anything ?
Gerard O'Neill
I think Maharey has made a mistake.....he should have told the lot of them to "Get %$*@!"
David
If such bad language falls off the tongue so easily in the heat of the moment it tells a lot. It is about upbringing, respect, and belief in standards. It is a pity that ministers of government and those in authority cannot set a better example whilst coming from better educated stock. It seems Government continually lower standards.
Teresa Wetere
I think it is rude, crass and poor imaging for a Minister to use such language in the public eye it is just a disgrace - terrible role model. 2 words: "Low class" if you are in the public arena serving you must have some diplomacy & etiquette, excuse me but they do get paid for their services. He reflects poor character by not being able to control his tongue in public!
RJ
Storm in a teacup. That said though, it is indicative of the calibre of the politicians running our country. I have no problem with the word in conversational and informal speech, but in official dialogue concerning serious matters, I regard swearing and insults as the last resort of an inarticulate buffoon who can not support themselves with facts or logic.
Emma
While I do not think that sort of language is appropriate in parliament, I do not think it's important enough to get a full 5mins coverage on the national news! By all means discipline the minister in the house, but it does not need to be given any attention beyond that.
Roger Hall
The use of that sort of language by a senior Labour Minister demonstrates that Maharey is unfit to be in Parliament let alone as Minister of Education. What a sorry state our political system is in!
Mel
Good on him! The f- word has become part of the everyday conversation. I have been to conferences, with some very powerful people and they use the word sometimes in conversations. It is not that someone has thrown a punch.He apologised, so the matter should be finished with.
Steve
A storm in teacup. While it is a rather childlike response, I do not think we have many ministers in parliament who dont act childlike at some point(s) in their career. It seems that the parliamentary environment encourages and just like with children, as long as the apology was sincere and he has reflected on the error (which I believe he probably has) then let it go and move on. Even education ministers have to go through their learning experiences.
Lynda West
I think it is quite funny.