She who shall not be named by Muller

It is a ploy sometimes used by opponents of the All Blacks.

Talk about the men in black, sure. Talk about New Zealanders’ prowess on the footy field, no worries. Just avoid uttering the ABs’ name.

National Party leader Todd Muller employed a similar tactic when discussing the Labour-led Government’s track record during a talk to business leaders in Hamilton yesterday.

Muller did not hold back in criticising the Government’s alleged mismanagement of the country’s borders, or its ‘‘industrial style spending regime’’.

But in his 45-minute talk, Muller avoided mentioning Jacinda Ardern by name – even once.

When referring to MP David Clark’s recent resignation as health minister, Muller willingly reeled off names of other Labour MPs who had erred during the past three years but stopped short of referencing Ardern by name.

‘‘This Government and this prime minister really struggle with accountability until it is almost too late,’’ Muller said.

In discussing his focus on small business, Muller said past prime ministers typically took on an area of interest. Helen Clark’s was the arts. John Key championed tourism. ‘‘This prime minister’s [focus] is child poverty. Well, [there] is actually 10,000 more people, young kids, in poverty now than there was three years ago,’’ he said.

Fielding questions from the floor, Muller was asked by Hamilton property developer Matt Stark how he intends to combat the perception among young voters that National is boring.

‘‘You sound like my daughter,’’ Muller quipped, before adding that social media would play a key role in delivering National’s election message.

If Labour and the Greens form the next Government, anyone with aspirations or achievements would be taxed heavily, Muller warned.