Labour leader Chris Hipkins has ordered Labour MP Peeni Henare to delete "inappropriate" social media posts that ridiculed two Government ministers.
Henare reposted cartoon images to his Instagram account of ACT leader David Seymour and Transport Minister Simeon Brown yesterday.
Inspired by the 1980s trading cards The Garbage Pail Kids, the images by artist Michel Mulipola parody the politicians as gruesome alter egos with humorous names.
The two images Henare posted depicted "Seymour S**t" with faeces coming out of his eyes and an anus for a mouth, and "Simian Brown" as a cartoon of a baboon with Brown's face on its rear.
Hipkins told 1News he was not impressed by the images.
"It's not appropriate and doesn’t add to positive political discourse. Criticism of a politician’s policies and priorities is a legitimate part of the democratic process. Personal denigration is not."
Henare was told to delete the posts, which he has done.
"Free speech is important but it’s also important politicians show leadership on the kind of debate we want to see in politics and it’s not this. I have asked Peeni to remove these posts and he has indicated he will do that," said Hipkins.
Seymour told 1News while ACT supports free speech, it has consequences in that "other people will judge what you say."
"I think if that's the best the Labour Party can do to advance a positive debate about the country's future... then we're actually being deprived of a constructive opposition in this country which is essential for democracy."
Brown opted not to comment on the image, telling 1News he was "really focused" on the Government's plans to grow the economy, fix the cost of living crisis and deliver better, health, education and infrastructure.
Henare was approached for comment by 1News, but declined the invitation.
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