Bennett gets Swift inspiration on tourism

  • 11/02/2016
Bennett gets Swift inspiration on tourism

Senior government minister Paula Bennett has channelled pop superstar Taylor Swift in the House this afternoon, answering a question about New Zealand's booming tourism industry.

Ms Bennett answered a question from fellow National MP Tim Macindoe directed at Tourism Minister and Prime Minister John Key about the number of tourists who had visited the country over summer.

Mr Key was in Wairarapa today and not in the House this afternoon to answer Mr Macindoe's question.

But it was unlikely he'd answer in the same way Ms Bennett did.

"The tourism sector continued it's very impressive growth last year, with a record 3.13 million visitors up 10 percent from 2014."

She said summer had been particularly good, especially with the arrival of one person in particular.

"It was the month that Taylor Swift visited, took a fantastic selfie, said that the players gonna play, play, play, play, play; let the haters hate, hate, hate; she was love, love, loving New Zealand."

The lyrics were from Swift's hit song 'Shake it Off'.

Swift was in New Zealand over summer filming the music video for her new single 'Out of the Woods', and yesterday released a behind-the-scenes video in which she praised the country -- especially Bethells Beach.

Tourism New Zealand says that kind of kudos is invaluable to the country's economy.

Newshub.