Shane Jones slams Simon Bridges for choosing Hawaii over Anzac Day service

  • 03/05/2018
Simon Bridges in Hawaii (left) and Shane Jones.
Simon Bridges in Hawaii (left) and Shane Jones. Photo credit: Simon Bridges / Instagram; Newshub Nation

Shane Jones has criticised National leader Simon Bridges for opting out of attending an Anzac Day dawn service - instead spending the day with his family in Hawaii.

"If you want to be the Prime Minister, then whether you like it or not, you come out to what is arguably the most sacred day," the NZ First MP told Sky News.

"Pretty much every MP I'm confident would have trotted along to either the RSA or an Anzac ceremony. But Simon is a special New Zealander because he purports to be the next prime minister. So special rules apply."

There were Anzac Day services held in Honolulu, both at a Dawn Service and a later ceremony. The Pacific Marines posted a photo of the crowd to Facebook.

However, Mr Bridges didn't attend.

In a statement to Sky News, he said he chose instead to spend the day with his family on the "long arranged" trip.

"This year I marked the occasion with my family by taking some time out with my sons Emlyn and Harry to remind them about ANZAC day and the sacrifices made by New Zealanders in war around the world."

He also told Sky News he visited Pearl Harbour with his family.

Later in the day he posted a photo of himself gazing at his grandfather's war medals, saying he was taking some time to "reflect".

New National MP Nicola Willis represented the National Party at the Wellington Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Newshub.