{{short description|2016 protest incident in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = Waitangi dildo incident | image = Joyce_dildoed.jpg | alt = Face of Steven Joyce partly obscured by a large rubber penis | caption = Steven Joyce at the moment of impact | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | location = Waitangi | target = MP Steven Joyce (New Zealand Minister of Economic Development) | coordinates = | date = {{start date and age|2016|02|05|df=y}} | time = | timezone = | type = Flung object | perpetrator = Josie Butler | weapons = Rubber dog toy resembling a dildo | injuries = 0 | motive = Opposition to the TPPA | charges = None laid | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> }} The '''Waitangi dildo incident''' occurred on 5 February 2016 in Waitangi, New Zealand, when protester Josie Butler flung what was referred to as a dildo (actually a penis-shaped squeaky toy) at Minister of Economic Development Steven Joyce, striking him in the face. The incident became international news, and was quoted and parodied in art, music, and television comedy.
== Background == Waitangi Day, New Zealand's national holiday, commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and representatives of Māori on 6 February 1840. Because the Treaty of Waitangi was for many years ignored by European colonists, being declared "a simple nullity" in the 1877 ''Wi Parata v Bishop of Wellington'' judgement, Waitangi Day celebrations have frequently been a scene of political protest. Politicians attending have been jostled and heckled; mud was thrown at the Leader of the Opposition Don Brash in 2004,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/|title=Mud thrown at Brash at marae|last=Stuart|first=Ian|date=5 February 2004|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=6 February 2020|issn=1170-0777|archive-date=29 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429171755/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11238616|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Prime Minister John Key was grabbed by two protestors in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 November 2017|title=Waitangi Day in the 21st century – Waitangi Day|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/21st-century-waitangi-day|access-date=13 July 2020|website=NZHistory, New Zealand history online|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014133138/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/waitangi-day/21st-century-waitangi-day|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2016, New Zealand had just signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement (TPPA), which had been widely criticised by Māori as undermining the self-determination that was guaranteed to them by the Treaty of Waitangi.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35499554|title=NZ minister hit by sex toy in protest|date=5 February 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110051119/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35499554|url-status=live}}</ref> Prime Minister John Key wanted to respond to critics of the TPPA at Waitangi, but was told he would not be allowed to discuss politics on the marae.<ref name=":4" /> Two days before the Waitangi ceremonies, where a large anti-TPPA protest was promised, Key decided not to attend,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Marika |date=4 February 2016 |title=Prime Minister John Key's no-show at Waitangi 'no great loss' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76598479/prime-minister-john-keys-no-show-at-waitangi-no-great-loss |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Stuff}}</ref> and sent senior politician and Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce as the government's representative.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/joyce-hit-dildo-greens-welcomed-first|title=Joyce hit by dildo, Greens welcomed first|date=6 February 2016|website=Otago Daily Times|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206032047/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/joyce-hit-dildo-greens-welcomed-first|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Event == While Joyce was speaking to reporters in the car park of the Copthorne Hotel on the day before the celebrations, Josie Butler, a Christchurch nurse, threw what appeared to be a dildo (in the form of a large flesh-toned rubber penis and testicles) at him.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/16/new-zealand-mp-dildo-baggins-cops-sex-toy-in-the-face-and-takes-ribbing-on-the-chin|title=New Zealand MP 'Dildo Baggins' cops sex toy in the face and takes ribbing on the chin|last=Hunt|first=Elle|date=16 February 2016|work=The Guardian |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Donnell |first=Hayden |date=2026-02-05 |title=National milestone: It’s been 10 years since the Waitangi dildo strike |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-02-2026/national-milestone-its-been-10-years-since-the-waitangi-dildo-strike |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref> The dildo rebounded from Joyce's face, bouncing off the ''1News'' reporter Helen Castles, who was interviewing him, and the moment was captured by her cameraman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/05-02-2016/history-in-pictures-the-2016-waitangi-dildo-incident/|title=History in pictures: The 2016 Waitangi Dildo Incident|last=Henderson|first=Calum|date=5 February 2016|website=The Spinoff|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205063043/https://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/05-02-2016/history-in-pictures-the-2016-waitangi-dildo-incident/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Joyce, who was not harmed, responded by saying "Oh yes yes" and "Goodo".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/outgoing-mp-steven-joyce-shares-reaction-to-dildo-incident.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327232838/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/outgoing-mp-steven-joyce-shares-reaction-to-dildo-incident.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 March 2018|title=Outgoing MP Steven Joyce shares reaction to dildo incident|date=28 March 2018|work=Newshub |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Butler, who was protesting New Zealand's signing of the TPPA, shouted "That’s for raping our sovereignty."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/76604655/steven-joyce-hit-by-sex-toy-thrown-by-protester-at-waitangi|title=Steven Joyce hit by sex toy thrown by protester at Waitangi|last=Hill|first=Marika|date=5 February 2016|work=Stuff|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205033948/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/76604655/steven-joyce-hit-by-sex-toy-thrown-by-protester-at-waitangi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/05/the-serious-reason-a-new-zealand-politician-was-hit-in-the-face-with-a-sex-toy/|title=The serious reason a New Zealand politician had a sex toy thrown at his face|last=Tharoor|first=Ishaan|date=6 February 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021456/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/05/the-serious-reason-a-new-zealand-politician-was-hit-in-the-face-with-a-sex-toy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> She was arrested but later released without charge.<ref name=":1" /> Butler later explained that she was concerned about the TPPA's effect on the cost of medications for her patients; the significance of the dildo was not explained.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76683642/woman-who-threw-dildo-at-steven-joyce-explains-her-actions|title=Woman who threw dildo at Steven Joyce explains her actions|date=8 February 2016|work=Stuff|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205033949/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76683642/woman-who-threw-dildo-at-steven-joyce-explains-her-actions|url-status=live}}</ref> She had originally intended to throw the object at PM John Key, who at the last minute did not attend the ceremonies. After hours walking around Waitangi, she saw Steven Joyce's media interview in the Copthorne car park, but did not recognise him and had to ask a police officer if he was from the National Party.<ref name=":6" />
=== The dildo === Although the object thrown at Joyce was described by media at the time as a "dildo" or "sex toy", Butler later revealed it was actually a "dog's squeaky toy".<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/protestor-threw-dildo-steven-joyce-in-2016-back-waitangi-explore-her-whakapapa|title=Protestor who threw dildo at Steven Joyce in 2016 back at Waitangi to 'explore' her whakapapa|date=5 February 2020|work=TVNZ|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212015204/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/protestor-threw-dildo-steven-joyce-in-2016-back-waitangi-explore-her-whakapapa|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moir |first=Jo |date=9 February 2016 |title=Labour leader weighs in on dildo-gate and Steven Joyce |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76685396/labour-leader-weighs-in-on-dildo-gate-and-steven-joyce |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205061951/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76685396/labour-leader-weighs-in-on-dildo-gate-and-steven-joyce |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |website=Stuff}}</ref> It was chosen after she Googled "most effective form of protest" and learned about the 2008 Bush shoeing incident; a rubber toy was chosen as it was less likely to harm Joyce than a shoe, and she did not want to be charged with assault.<ref name=":2" /> Butler and her flatmates purchased the nine-inch "Squeaky Pecker" at adult store ''Peaches and Cream'', and for weeks practised throwing at each other around the house.<ref name=":6"/>
Documentary-maker Hayden Donnell afterwards attempted to locate the dildo. As Butler was never charged with a crime, the dildo was not evidence; nevertheless, it had been confiscated by a police officer at the scene in case Joyce pressed charges.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Donnell |first=Hayden |date=5 April 2016 |title=Hunt for the Waitangi dildo: A Spinoff special investigation |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-04-2016/hunt-for-the-waitangi-dildo-a-spinoff-special-investigation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205034226/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-04-2016/hunt-for-the-waitangi-dildo-a-spinoff-special-investigation/ |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |website=The Spinoff}}</ref> Donnell devoted the first episode of the show ''Get It to Te Papa'' to the hunt for the dildo, so it might be accessioned by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He discovered through the Official Information Act that five days after the incident the police had thrown it away.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnell |first=Hayden |date=2016-04-13 |title=Waitangi Dildo: What the chilling police reports reveal |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/analysis/13-04-2016/waitangi-dildo-what-the-baffling-police-reports-reveal |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref>
== Aftermath == The incident, at the time referred to as "dildogate" (using the "-gate" suffix, in common with other political controversies), became an international sensation.<ref name=":4" /> Joyce was briefly nicknamed "Dildo Baggins", a ''Lord of the Rings'' reference to Bilbo Baggins.<ref name=":0" /> Soon after the incident, Joyce tweeted, "Someone send the gif over to John Oliver so we can get it over with ..."<ref name=":0" /> (Oliver, a UK-US television comedian, was at the time repeatedly lampooning news from New Zealand.) Oliver, who declared the rest of Steven Joyce's life "will be viewed through a dildonic prism",<ref name=":6" /> responded with an extravagant segment on his show ''Last Week Tonight'' featuring a redesigned New Zealand flag (brandished by Peter Jackson and sporting Joyce's face and the dildo), a rain of dildos, performers in giant dildo costumes, and a choir singing about the incident to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-oliver-dildo-new-zealand-865344|title=John Oliver Gets 'Lord of the Rings' Director Peter Jackson to Wave Sex Toy Flag on 'Last Week Tonight'|last=Berg|first=Katie Wilson|date=15 February 2016|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205061948/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-oliver-dildo-new-zealand-865344|url-status=live}}</ref> Joyce responded on Twitter: "Well that was actually pretty funny."<ref name=":0" />
Years after the incident, Butler confessed she would "buy Steven Joyce a beer if I saw him today, because he sure took a dick to the face really well."<ref name=":6" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*1News [https://www.1news.co.nz/2016/02/05/tpp-protester-boldly-chucks-dildo-at-steven-joyce-at-waitangi/ video of the incident] (close-up) *Newshub [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b91CN5XC_V8 coverage of the incident] (wide angle) *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfmxC4peRX8 "Dildogate" sequence] in ''Last Week Tonight with John Oliver'', 15 February 2016 *''Get It to Te Papa'' [https://www.lightbox.co.nz/series/get-it-to-te-papa S01E01: Waitangi Dildo]
{{Treaty of Waitangi}}
Objects being thrown Category:2016 in politics Category:2016 protests Category:February 2016 in New Zealand Category:Protest tactics Category:Protests in New Zealand Category:Dildos Category:Far North District