Ministry hands out 600 left-footed gumboots

The Government was forced yesterday to try to explain why the waste-conscious Environment Ministry provided 600 people at a conference with a child's left-footed gumboot each.

National MP Nick Smith said in Parliament that each of the mayors and councillors at the Local Government NZ conference this week was provided with a gumboot stamped with the ministry's logo.

"Is that gimmick a good use of public money and the right example to set on waste?"

Environment Minister David Benson-Pope replied: "It would have been more useful if the member had read out the line that is written on the gumboot. It is in relation to issues around climate change.

"The Ministry for the Environment tells me that the gumboot is a penholder. However, given its size, it might be more appropriate for the member to use it to contain National Party policy."

Dr Smith asked how providing 600 mayors and councillors with a left-footed yellow gumboot with the words "Are you thinking about climate change?" on it would stop global warming.