An ACT ad campaign launched at the weekend has echoes of leader Don Brash’s controversial Orewa speech in 2004. It was condemned yesterday by the Maori and Mana parties. Former ad man for ACT John Ansell has branded it “a party of cowards” after he was forced to step down over his comments about Maori.
The former marketing manager says he is not a racist and that those who speak “the truth” – like sacked Employers and Manufacturers Association boss Alasdair Thompson – are punished.
In an open letter to Brash, Pita Sharples said “How sad and disturbing to read your negative ACT party advertisement in the NZ Herald’s Weekender – July 9, as you once again bring the Maori people’s aspirations into contempt and ridicule. Your views are not only inaccurate and ill-founded, but are totally out of tune with middle New Zealand’s ideals and aspirations for our country.”
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