NZ PM defends use of UH-1 to attend black tie dinner

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key had to explain why he used an Air Force UH-1 helicopter on Saturday to attend a race event and black tie dinner after being criticized by opposition politicians.

A spokesman for Key said the decision to use the helicopter was due to worries that traffic at the race event could delay his dinner as the Governor-General was also attending and he cannot be late due to protocol.