Swipe at MPs for film premiere no-show

DON SCOTT/The Press

TAX MATTERS: Dave Henderson at last night's premiere of We're Here to Help, where he blasted the Labour Party.

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Christchurch property developer Dave Henderson blasted the Labour Party at the premiere of a film about his life last night, saying it was time it got over his success.

Henderson said all the Labour MPs were invited to the premiere of We're Here to Help in Riccarton last night, but none arrived.

"It is time they got over it," said Henderson, 52.

"I'm just a Kiwi boy and they screwed up and it is about time they acknowledged it and fixed it."

Henderson said the Inland Revenue Department was "cowardly" for not attending.

"If they had any spirit at all they would acknowledge they screwed up and earn people's respect, but they are so stupid. The fact they can't do that is disappointing and sad," he said.

We're Here to Help charts Henderson's four-year battle with Inland Revenue in the 1990s to prove he had not been cheating on his tax. Henderson attended the premiere with wife Kristina, 47, and members of the cast and film crew.

Also at the premiere, at the Hoyts Riccarton cinema, was Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt.

"I think that the film is excellent," said Henderson. "I think it has great appeal and could do very well."

He said he was not sure about being called Christchurch's answer to Erin Brokovich. "I did exactly what anyone else would do," he said. "When you come across people who try to bully you, then you should give something back."

We're Here to Help opens in New Zealand cinemas tomorrow.

- © Fairfax NZ News