Internet Mana spurns Wairarapa

NO SHOW: Kim Dotcom might have enjoyed big crowds on his Road Trip, like in Kaitaia (pictured), but only three turned up to his advertised gathering in Masterton, which had been cancelled unexpectedly.

He might be the biggest political figure - physically - in this general election, but Kim Dotcom turned out to be invisible for Wairarapa.

Masterton and Porirua were canned from Internet Mana's much-hyped campaign tour, entitled "The Road Trip!" throughout heartland New Zealand.

The visit was supposed to include a stopoff at the Frank Cody lounge on Monday evening, according to their ad in the Wairarapa Times-Age last Wednesday.

But about the same time as the ad placement, the visit was cancelled "due to circumstances beyond our control," according to Internet Mana's press secretary, John Mitchell.

The advertised "informal gathering" was to include Internet Mana co-leader Hone Harawira, Kim Dotcom, Mana's Ikaroa Rawhiti candidate Te Hamua Nikora, plus candidates and "special guests".

Following a visit to Naenae, the entourage of candidates, vehicles and equipment is believed to have stopped in Greytown for some shopping, but then pointed north to Hastings and kept on going.

Internet Mana press officer Skye Kimura-Paul, when contacted by the Times-Age yesterday, swore audibly down the phone, saying it was the second time an advertisement promised an Internet Mana stopoff, only to be pulled.

She said the party had placed an ad in Porirua community newspaper Kapi Mana, for a meeting in Titahi Bay.

Press secretary Mr Mitchell said yesterday afternoon he had only just discovered Masterton was cancelled.

He confirmed Porirua had been canned.

Mr Mitchell said the tour, which started on July 15 with a blessing at Cape Reinga, had gone to Bluff and the team was on the return leg to Auckland.

They needed to be back in Auckland for the launch of their campaign on August 24 and the timing was getting tight.

With Masterton and Porirua crossed off, they intended to keep their appointments with Hastings, Gisborne, Whakatane and Tauranga.

"The reasons for doing this are completely above board," said Mr Mitchell. "We don't go around cancelling willy-nilly. It's disappointing, but no reflection on the electorate."

The electorate may not have cared; only three people showed up at the Frank Cody lounge.

A senior citizen said she had been looking forward to hearing what they had to say.