Alleged tea tape leaked online

TRACY WATKINS AND JOHN HARTEVELT

Prime Minister John Key has been forced to change his phone number after it was revealed on the so-called leaked "teapot tape".

Speaking to Fairfax this afternoon, Key said he had changed his phone number after getting about 30 crank calls since the "teapot tape" was leaked on dozens of internet sites late this morning.

The tape, a recording of a conversation between Key and ACT's John Banks last November, is subject to a suppression order.

Hours after the leak, police announced they wanted to talk to six patrons in the cafe that played host to the tea pot tape saga.

About the same time Key apologised if he caused any offence to "older New Zealanders" following the release of the alleged tape online.

The recording was poor quality but the voices of Key and Banks can be heard and also the voice of Key's chief of staff, Wayne Eagleson, shooing the media away.

It appears to have been released to co-incide with Key's first major speech of the year in Auckland today.

At one point Key gives Banks information that appears to confirm the authenticity of the tape.

Police this afternoon reiterated it was an offence to disclose the contents of a private conversation, while saying they wanted six people in Newmarket's Urban Cafe at the time to come forward.

Two women were sitting at tables in the centre of the cafe, a man was sitting alone at a table, and two women and a man were standing near a bay window at the time, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Hooper said. They may have information which could help the inquiry.

Hooper said police were aware of today's internet postings and they would be "factored into" investigations.

KEY APOLOGISES

During the furore last year NZ First leader Winston Peters hinted at the contents of the tape, suggesting the pair discussed the elderly and a party's "internal leadership problems".

When today pressed about the apparent content of the tape, Key said:

"Older New Zealanders at some point pass away and it's a statement of fact that Winston Peters' base has typically been represented by older New Zealanders. But that was a private conversation, I would always phrase things in a better way if it was a public conversation because that's just the nature of the way people talk.

"So if there was offence, yes, I apologise for that."

Asked if any his comments were disrespectful, Key said: "If it was a public conversation, I may say exactly the same thing but in a slightly more respectful way but I haven't heard the tapes so I can't fully comment on it.

"Quite honestly, I've got much bigger things to worry about than that."

Key reiterated that he had not authorised release of the tape, "so anyone that's done that may find themselves in breach of the law but that's a matter for them".

"That wouldn't be for me to make that case. I have made a complaint to the police but it's important to understand the position as I see it.

''That is a private conversation, I am not authorising it to be publicly released. If people have chosen to do that, they have chosen to do that."

Key said he had still not heard the tape and remained reluctant to comment on the contents. However, he said that "in due course" he would listen to the tape.

Peters said it was time for Key to withdraw his "time-wasting and trivial complaint".

He said Key's apology for his "callous remarks" about NZ First supporters had been a long time coming.

"Messrs Key and Banks show themselves to be a couple of schoolboy conspirators and they are as inept at intrigue as they are in the leadership of a country that badly needs some inspired leadership."

Peters said the police complaint was a "pathetic political stunt aimed at shutting down discussion of an election blooper".

"Mr Key should be ashamed of himself... in truth though, what started out as Dilmah ended up as an 'English Dogs Breakfast'," Peters said.

THE SAGA

Cameraman Bradley Ambrose says he inadvertently recorded the conversation between Banks and Key on the campaign trail last year.

It took place during a stage-managed photo opportunity to highlight the political accord between National and ACT in the wealthy Epsom electorate.

While Key and Banks were surrounded by media, the recording took place after journalists and cameramen were shooed away.

At the end of the conversation Key and Banks spot the recording device left behind by Ambrose, who says that was not deliberate.

After a political furore over leaked details of the conversation a furious Key refused his permission for the tape to be released, saying it was a breach of privacy and tabloid journalism.

He also complained to police who swooped on media organisations for evidence for possible charges against Ambrose.

Police also threatened media organisations with criminal charges if they released the tape.

Subsequent attempts in the High Court to have the contents of the so-called 'teapot tape' declared public failed.

Chief High Court judge Justice Helen Winkelmann said to do so could interfere with the police investigation, which appears to have stalled.

- © Fairfax NZ News