The Prime Minister called. He said, "What's this I hear about you holding secret talks with the Chinese about obtaining a giant panda for Wellington Zoo?"
The Prime Minister called. He said, "What's this I hear about you holding secret talks with the Chinese about obtaining a giant panda for Wellington Zoo?"
Opinion by Steve Braunias
Steve Braunias writes for the Listener and Newsroom.
"Is there, by any chance," I asked, "a giant panda breeding research base in the vicinity?"
An 18th month old giant panda.
WEDNESDAY
The Prime Minister called. He said, "What's this I hear about you holding secret talks with the Chinese about obtaining a giant panda for Wellington Zoo?"
I said, "I wanted to surprise you!"
He said, "Should New Zealand's Minister of Defence really hold diplomatic talks with military leaders of one of the world's most powerful countries about a giant panda?"
Another visit to Chengdu, the giant panda breeding research base. We had a nice cuddle. She's really taken a shine to me.
FRIDAY
I was on my way to the airport for the flight home when I got a call from one of the keepers at the giant panda breeding research base. "Please return immediately," he begged.
