Key isn't ruling out further tax cuts

Prime Minister John Key has indicated in the frenzy over the recent 2010 Budget that he isn't ruling out further tax cuts. Mr Key told reporters this afternoon that he was happy with the new tax structures.

He's not ruling out further tax cuts in the future, however. "I am not going to rule out that there might be other changes in the future. There always can be."

Mr Key also stated that his government hadn't actually changed the level of tax, just the overall mix. "It's about broadening the base", he said.

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Budget will benefit the majority, says Bill English

The Government is attempting to sweep away claims that the 2010 Budget, to be released tomorrow, will mostly benefit the wealthy.

Finance minister, Bill English, is attempting to quell such fears, and claims that the wealthy will probably end up paying more tax than they did before. Primarily, the Budget is aimed at putting roadblocks in place that will prevent the rich from avoiding high taxes through legal loopholes.

Phil Goff, however, has not been so welcoming of such claims. "From the signals, this will be a budget for the most wealthy, not for middle or low income earners", Mr Goff said.

National also says that the Budget will be full of tax hikes for the rich, including a rise in GST, which has been expected for some time.

There have also been claims that the Budget will focus on cuts for Government spending, although there are no signs of this thus far.

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Key Tuhoe cannibalism joke sparks global media reaction

It would appear that international media are having a field day with John Key's quip about Tuhoe's cannibalistic past. According to the New Zealand Herald:

CNN, the Guardian, the United States' National Public Radio, Vanity Fair, the London Evening Standard, the Sydney Morning Herald and multiple international news wires have all picked up on the story, each adding a bit of their own humour.

Speaking at a tourism event in Auckland yesterday, Mr Key made a joke that "I would have been dinner" if he had dined with Tuhoe, after a dispute emerged this week over Treaty negotiations.

The remark has been criticised as badly timed and insensitive by Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell.

What's more, it is becoming evident that the controversy may continue for some time yet.

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Key stirs up controversy with Tuhoe tribe cannibalism joke

Prime Minister John Key has apologised due to a controversy over a cannibalism based joke he made at a tourism industry trade conference.

The Prime Minister opened a "frenzy of outrage", according to Fairfax Media, when he opened his speech with a joke that if he "had a meal with the Tuhoe, he would have been on the menu".

This turned out to be something of a controversial error in judgement. Mr Key thought that "the tribe would get the joke". However, Fairfax reports, they were not amused.

Late this afternoon, he apologised - saying that he was "deeply apologetic for any offense caused"

"Ahh, look, it was a light hearted joke, a bit of self-depreciating humour, but if anyone is offended, then I deeply apologise".

Stuff.co.nz added:

Maori MP Te Ururoa Flavell, whose Waiariki electorate includes Tuhoe's tribal area, told Radio NZ the joke was unfortunate and would add to the iwi's wounds.

Tuhoe chief negotiator Tamati Kruger said the joke was not funny, in poor taste and unbecoming of a prime minister. Relations with Mr Key were getting worse by the day, he said.

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