Yesterday National MP Mark Mitchell has broken ranks with his leaders after Collins and Gerry Brownlee both laid the blame for obesity on personal responsibility.
Collins said she describing it as a weakness and saying that people should not "blame systems for personal choices."
GPs yesterday said her comments were “demeaning” and “dismally disappointing”.
“For a New Zealand leader to make those comments is really demeaning to people who are affected by obesity... it’s a hugely complex issue and it’s absolutely not that simple,” Dr Lynn McBain, who runs a GP clinic in Wellington, told The New Zealand Herald.
Speaking to NewstalkZB's Mike Hosking this morning, Collins said the negative reaction had surprised her.
"I was simply saying people do need to know what to do and need to take personal responsibility.
"It's not that hard... the science is there."
Collins said professional boxer-turned health guru Dave "The Brown Buttabean" Letele was "a bit of a character."
Letele is among community voices who have condemned Collins' comments. He is now well-known for his work to tackle obesity within the Pacific and Māori communities particularly in South Auckland and West Auckland.
Collins acknowledged that the work Letele is doing in the community is exactly what she was calling on people to do.
On the discussion around the Green Party's wealth tax policy and the possibility of a Labour-Green coalition, Collins said: "We know what their fall back is always - which is to tax."
"They can't grow the economy because they have no plans to do it."
Collins hit out at the media, saying the treatment of Labour leader Jacinda Ardern meeting large crowds at shopping malls compared to the treatment of her walkabout in Ponsonby - when claims of a rent-a-crowd of National supporters were brought in to make her look better - was "pathetic".
"If I'm out there talking about policy, I'm not gonna be at the mall."
Collins said at times she felt like she was speaking to press secretaries for Ardern instead of reporters and believed there needed to be more diversity in the press gallery.
Come Saturday, Collins said she wanted to see Labour below her.
"I hope that they land in a position below us, actually, with Act."
She said she still believed National could win the election - but said that was why they needed people to give their party vote to National.
"Yeah, we can [win], actually. But it is very hard."
Collins said she believed the Act Party would get over the line and also thought the Māori Party would get at least one seat.
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Comments
"It's not that hard... the science is there." True enough, but it's drowned out by blanket adverts from fast food corporations, especially around meal times.
Can you say 'consequences'?
Self responsibility has become a non-PC phrase. Adults generally are not force feed, they choose what they drink & eat.
For those not suffering thyroid conditions or weight gain attributed to medication, there still remains a fair percentage of New Zealanders who are overweight or obese due to diet and lifestyle choices. Personal responsibility for one’s health and wellbeing does indeed start with the individual.
We know being overweight contributes to heart disease, diabetes and other negative health issues, often culminating in a lack of personal motivation to exercise. Suggesting people need to take personal responsibility for obesity is not controversial, it’s the first step in acknowledging you may have a problem, that - if a result of bad lifestyle choices - you have the means within yourself to remedy. Losing weight and being well is a desirable position for longevity and mental health for all humanity.
Those comments by Judith Collins were not demeaning. I’m sure many people afflicted with obesity are acutely aware of how they feel day by day due to their condition and realise improving their diets and exercising regularly are proven ways to a healthier life for both mental and physical wellbeing.
When a leading politician singles out a particular group, that gives licence for discrimination.
However, public that abuse or harass that group are in breach of the Human Rights Act.
There is a sale on cotton wool at my local pharmacy, I will ensure i have plenty in stock for any truths that may offend.
So is Crusher suggesting that her mate Gerry needs to have some self-control to fix his obesity issue or is it just that he's a big cuddly guy?