Yes to Winston's no sign for $10,600
Winston Peters' infamous NO sign did not help him escape the $100,000 Owen Glenn controversy three years ago, but it has raised $10,600 for Christchurch earthquake victims.
Winston Peters' infamous NO sign did not help him escape the $100,000 Owen Glenn controversy three years ago, but it has raised $10,600 for Christchurch earthquake victims.
The sign the New Zealand First leader once used as a prop was auctioned as part of a Press Gallery fund-raiser in the Backbencher pub for the Canterbury Television and The Press newspaper's families, and victims of the February earthquake.
The winning bid of $10,600 was made by Ted Thomas, chief executive of Superstructure, a technology and consultancy business.
Mr Thomas said he was not a fan of Mr Peters but wanted to donate to quake victims.
"I am going to show it to staff and then find a place in my company's board room for it," he said.
The auction raised about $13,000. Ticket sales of $4500 will go to the Red Cross fund.
At a press conference in February 2008 Mr Peters held up the big NO sign, when denying he knew his party received a $100,000 donation from Monaco-based businessman Mr Glenn.
When the conference ended Mr Peters passed the sign to TVNZ political editor Guyon Espiner and it has since been framed and hung in TVNZ's parliamentary office.
A parliamentary inquiry found on the balance of evidence Mr Peters had known about the donation and he was censured for not disclosing it.
Various authorities investigated but no charges were laid.
NZPA
Fri, 18 Mar 2011
Fri, 18 Mar 2011
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Yes to Winston's no sign for $10,600
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