Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones (left) with National's agricultural spokesman Todd Muller. Photo: NZ HeraldOutspoken New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones labelled farmer protesters gathered on Parliament's lawn "rednecks" and responded to their booing with a waiata. There was a sizeable showing from the National Party; Muller sided with the protesters and criticised the Government's approach to the regions. Pressed again later in the day on the comments, Jones doubled down, saying the protesters' attitude was "Ngāti redneckery". "When you punch me in the nose," he said of the protesters booing him, "you're going to get a reciprocal gesture".

Source: Otago Daily Times November 14, 2019 04:47 UTC