Geoff Parker: John Key's short-term, wheeling dealing perspective

Former National Party leader Sir John Key, as reported in the NZ Herald, has urged a more measured approach to race issues. He emphasized the importance of careful handling, saying, "You should always treat race issues carefully because in the end, we all want to live in a harmonious society, and Māori are the indigenous population of New Zealand and Treaty partners. So you have to treat them with respect and carefully, I think."

However, considering the race-based policies implemented during the last National Government, many feel Key is out of line in calling on the current government to "take the temperature down a wee bit" in the debate around race issues.