Prime Minister John Key has this morning refused to answer any questions about the 'tea cup' tape and, when pressed, walked out of a media stand-up.
He repeatedly said, in response to questions around the tape, that he and New Zealanders were interested in issues such as the economy.
In an extraordinary response, when journalists continued to ask him about the tape, he stormed off.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Phil Goff has upped his attack on Mr Key over the tea conversation with John Banks, saying comparing it to News of the World was "farcical.''
"No wonder the family of the teenage girl who was murdered and had their phones hacked by News of the World were outraged. It was, as their lawyer said, a cheap shot.''
"And then to say this was about two parents discussing a suicidal teenager. That's got nothing to do with it. This is not a matter of principle, it's a political embarrassment.''
He said Mr Key now had a credibility issue on his hands and if hints about what was said in that conversation about Act's future leadership were correct, he should come clean.
"If some of the reports are correct about axing Dr Brash, be honest with the electorate beforehand what they're trying to do, not afterwards.''
He said if Mr Key had made disparaging comments about elderly NZ First voters, it was disgusting.
"That generation helped build New Zealand. They might not share John Key's views or my views, but you shouldn't ever be disparaging.''
He said Mr Key was being disingenuous by saying he had not read a transcript.
"He was part of that conversation.''
