Face of the Day

Embattled NZ First candidate Michael Laws has apologised for comments he made about Opportunity Party female candidates.

Last week, during his show on the Platform, Laws said Opportunity’s female candidates were “stern”, “severe-looking women”, and “authoritarian fascists”. 

“Must be hell dating people like that, just quietly. Can you imagine what it’s like post-sex? Did I say that out loud? Yes I did. They dress in a particular way, long black dress that went down to her calves, with a stern look on her face,” he said.

Laws singled out Opportunity candidate Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, then went on to target leader Qiulae Wong, whom he said had a “stern” and “disapproving” look that exemplified “the I know better than you attitude of the Opportunity Party”. [...]

He said this attitude “lurks within the typical metropolitan liberal in this country” and was “best exemplified by the women who make up, pose, consist, and dominate the Opportunity Party”.

Laws has now apologised for the comments, telling Stuff on Wednesday afternoon that his comments were “intended to be mischievously humorous” but had “caused offence”.

Stuff