The long and winding road (+pics)

... without your BMW

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

WALKING: Pete Hodgson and Michael Cullen stretch their legs.

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

FOOT SOLDIERS: MPs Damien O'Connor, left, and David Cunliffe were among the many who walked to Labour's caucus at Premier House rather than allow themselves to be chauffer-driven. KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

PEDAL POWER: Cabinet ministers shunned their flash new BMWs to get to Labour's all-day caucus at Premier House by more environmentally-friendly methods. Trevor Mallard travelled by bike.

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

FOOT TRAFFIC: David Parker also came on foot.

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

WALKING: Parekura Horomia ambles out.

Relevant offers

Trevor Mallard cycled and even the not-exactly-athletic Judith Tizard struggled up the aptly named Hill St as Cabinet ministers shunned flash new BMWs to get to Labour's caucus at Premier House.

Stung by television images of most sweeping up to the front door in their $90,000-plus limos the last time Labour held an all-day council of war at the prime minister's official residence, ministers were at pains to show the common touch.

While most backbench MPs arrived in taxis straight from the airport yesterday, ministers - already in Wellington for Monday's Cabinet meeting - took to their heels. Several denied they had been ordered to walk the few hundred metres from the Beehive to Premier House in Tinakori Rd to avoid more accusations of elitism.

Some, including Climate Change Minister David Parker, Trade Minister Phil Goff and Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson, said they regularly walked when the caucus was at Premier House.

"I'm one of those people who virtually never drives up here, unless it's absolutely hosing down," Mr Parker said.

Building Issues Minister Shane Jones said he had been inspired to walk after attending regular boot camp sessions to trim down. "I want to move the puku into the chest, thank you very much."

But most said they walked because of the "beautiful" weather - curious on a sunny but icy day.

On April 29, the last caucus day at Premier House, it was balmy - and nearly all were chauffeured.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First

Jessica   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

So they should be walking - even in the rain they should walk!Everyone else has to if they get into wellington on the train and most uni students walk the half hour trudge up to Kelburn, I've done it in the rain many times.Our politians need to start leading the country and walking or biking is setting a good example - finally, now we just need to take coke and pies out of their canteen!

Ad Feedback