David Cunliffe: McCaw-Key selfie a matter for them

John Key and Richie McCaw after the New Zealand v Argentina test in Napier at the weekend. Photo / Jerome Kaino / Instagram

Labour leader David Cunliffe says its up to All Blacks captain Richie McCaw if he wants to pose for a selfie with the Prime Minister.

The photo of John Key and McCaw appeared on social media at the weekend following the All Blacks' match against Argentina in Napier and followed a string of other connections between the team and the Prime Minister.

Mr Key appeared on the cover of the Rugby News in July above the title Pack Leader, John Key - #1 All Blacks supporter.

Former All Black Jonah Lomu supported Mr Key at a Tongan church last week and All Black Dan Carter tweeted that he would be voting for National this election during a Q&A session on Twitter earlier this month.

However, Mr Cunliffe said the photo was between Mr Key and McCaw.

"I have a lot of respect for Richie, he did a great job last night."

Mr Cunliffe said if McCaw was willing, he'd be more than happy to also have a photo taken with him.

He said while the All Blacks were free to take photos with politicians, he hoped the team wasn't being used as a promotional tool for the National party.

"Look, Dan Carter's aim is normally pretty good, but obviously his political kicking boot is off."

The picture was first posted on the Instagram account of All Black Jerome Kaino.

Mr Cunliffe made the comments while at the Chinese Moon Festival in Henderson today during which he said Labour highly valued the Chinese community.

"Hard-working, entrepreneurial, successful, law-abiding, the Chinese community has added so much to the colour, the flavour, the success of New Zealand," he said.

Mr Cunliffe also said that Aroha Ireland, who was taken to Waitangi and given a job by then leader of opposition John Key in 2007, has been failed by the now Prime Minister.

"She's not voting for John Key. John Key has failed her...he's failed a whole generation of young New Zealanders," Mr Cunliffe said.

Aroha, now married and living in Australia, told Fairfax media she had no plans to move back to New Zealand.

"I absolutely believe that I was used as a publicity stunt," she said. "I wouldn't vote for National."