Face of the Day

A Dunedin podcast host says he was arrested after being thrown out of a candidate meeting for challenging Act New Zealand’s Paul Henry.

Big Hairy Network co-host Mike “Chewie” Bennett said he was ejected from Mr Henry’s event at Dunedin’s Glenroy Auditorium on Thursday night.

During a network livestream later that night, Mr Bennett said the incident was an “utter waste” of police time and flew in the face of ACT’s stance on free speech. 

In a statement on Friday, Mr Henry said he was a great believer in free speech, but Mr Bennett had reacted poorly when he was not satisfied with an answer.

“Instead of acting like an adult, he started shouting and interrupting, trying to ruin the evening for everyone else who braved a cold Dunedin night and aggressive protesters to come along and take part in democracy.”

ODT