Top takes 0800-Jacinda

The Opportunities Party (Top) has swooped in and taken 0800-Jacinda – the hotline John Tamihere said he would launch so people could report beggars.

Last month, Tamihere announced that if he was elected mayor of Auckland, he would launch 0800-Jacinda in a bid to end homelessness in the country’s biggest city.

‘‘A person all loving and caring that knows everything about your wellbeing will answer the phone and they will be able to dispatch a social worker that can work with that particular beggar in that particular hood,’’ he said.

But Top has beaten Tamihere to it, using 0800-Jacinda to announce its relaunch next month.

When people call 0800-Jacinda, they are met with the voice of Top leader Geoff Simmons.

Simmons was the deputy leader in the party’s 2017 campaign and took over when its founder, Gareth Morgan, resigned in March.

On the hotline, Simmons says ‘‘unfortunately, John Tamihere is out just now, so is [prime minister] Jacinda – I think they might be out to lunch’’.

Through the hotline, Simmons announced Top would relaunch the party brand on October 3 at Wellington bar Meow.

‘‘We got this number because we found out, as usual, our current group of politicians aren’t very good at following through,’’ Simmons said.

Reacting to the news, Top had secured the 0800-Jacinda hotline, Tamihere said: ‘‘It is pleasing to know I have supporters in strange places.’’

Simmons told Stuff the party checked out if the number was available and decided to use it as an opportunity to promote its brand relaunch.

‘‘Tamihere calling us supporters is stretching the truth somewhat ... we wanted to point out that all politicians are grandstanding ... he is as guilty as the rest of them.’’

The party was also open to offers from Tamihere if he wanted the number, Simmons said.