New Zealand Fisheries Minister Shane Jones carried a live freshwater crayfish through the lobby of Parliament House on May 26, halting a press conference to do so [1, 2, 3]. He held the crustacean while responding to questions on energy policy and candidate selection for his NZ First party [1, 2, 3].
Jones said the crayfish was a gift from members of a New Zealand Maori tribe to him [1, 2, 3]. When asked if the crayfish was alive, he told reporters, "As you can see, it’s still moving. But once it goes into hot water, it won’t be moving any more" [1]. The same statement was given in Mandarin by Jones in another interview: "你看，它现在还在动。不过，只要一进热水，它就不会动了。" [2].
Jones also said he would not take the crayfish into the debating chamber to avoid confiscation by parliamentary officials [1, 2, 3]. He pledged to eat the crayfish on the night the government budget is announced on May 28, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
This incident follows a history of seafood-related political stunts in New Zealand's Parliament. Former opposition leader David Shearer once held two dead snapper fish during a 2013 debate on fishing quotas [1, 2, 3].
The government budget will be announced today, May 28, when Jones plans to eat the crayfish.
