Govt slams Nats’ attack ad as ‘sexist’

Government ministers slammed a National Party ad, which attacks its flagship KiwiBuild policy, as sexist.

But National says the ad uses humour to show KiwiBuild failing and people need to just “lighten up”.

The ad, which was released on social media on Wednesday, showed a young man and woman discussing the policy at a barbecue.

The woman appears excited by KiwiBuild — but the man quickly points out that to achieve the 100,000 target, 33 new homes would need to be built every day.

She asks how many have been built so far, to which the man replies 33. A disclaimer says the 33 houses were built over the Government’s first 450 days.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford — the man in charge of the KiwiBuild policy — said yesterday the ad was “clearly sexist”. “I think a lot of people find it offensive.”

Some on social media complained the ad appears as though the man was mansplaining — a man explaining something to a woman in a patronising way — the KiwiBuild policy.

Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter said National “missed the mark” when it comes to the ad.

“Their ad seems to be a hallmark back to the 1970s.”

But National Leader Paula Bennett said the ad uses a bit of humour to get the point across that this Government is failing in its KiwiBuild policy.

“I think everyone needs to lighten up and see it as a bit of humour.”