Altruistic New Zealand mayor, Tim Shadbolt, cast nationwide embarrassment aside yesterday as he pole danced and gyrated on national television in a bid to secure 1,000 $1 flights for his flock.
A report in The Southland Times today states that that four Kiwi mayors were competing for top honours in the inaugural "Mayor Idol" run by Air New Zealand's grabaseat.
The winning mayor, Invercargill's Tim Shadbolt, performed a "partial striptease" to secure $1 fares for Southern New Zealanders wanting to travel between Invercargill and Christchurch.
Over 14,000 votes were lodged across New Zealand, with Mr Shadbolt winning by a 2% margin.
"They also got us down to the fire brigade to do some pole dancing to show how hot we were and of course I failed at that," Mr Shadbolt said.
"They pulled the hoses out and hosed me down ... but now I am officially the hottest mayor in New Zealand and Invercargill will get 1000 free flights - 500 out and 500 in."
The 1,000 $1 Invercargill and Christchurch fares are for journeys between 7 and 27 April.
