But Sir Ian said since then he had sent emails to Mr Jones’ office and got no reply about a possible date and no date had been set. Sir Ian said he was looking forward to getting into the boxing ring with Mr Jones but in reality he would much rather dance with Mr Jones and get in the same step as him. But I think there are other ways to do that than mining.’’There had been the suggestion media personality Paddy Gower could be the mediator, Sir Ian said. ‘‘But the way Sir Ian has been talking he is looking at some sort of woke organic mung bean tea party fireside chat,’’ Mr Jones said. Sir Sam Neill has been criticised by Mr Jones for his opinions on the mine but Mr Jones said yesterday he had been contacted by many people telling him to lay off Sir Sam.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 07, 2026 10:22 UTC