Kiwi PM gets in on planking craze

A photo of John Key's son Max lying plank-like across the sofa in the PM's residence has been uploaded to Planking NZ's Facebook page, delighting the site's 12,000 fans.

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Julia Gillard might be warning against it but across the Tasman her Kiwi counterpart has been linked with the planking craze, via his son at least.

A photo of John Key's son Max lying plank-like across the sofa in the prime ministerial residence has been uploaded to the Planking New Zealand Facebook page, much to the delight of the site's 12,000 fans.

More than 150 people have "liked" the shot, which shows an awkward-looking prime minister watching his 15-year-old son's humorous manoeuvre.

"Brilliant!" was one response, while others dubbed it a "Key Plank" or a "National Plank" after the National Party Mr Key heads.

"I love that only the New Zealand prime minister would promote planking John key is the friggin' man!".

Others though were frustrated that the PM himself hasn't gone vertical.

"Great Plank Max. Get your dad to do one and post it! That will be gold!"

One detractor thought the PM might be trying to win a few extra votes in New Zealand's November 26 general election.

"Look! John Key is trying to get us to actually like him. Ha ha planking won't get you that far John!"

For all the excitement, Mr Key's office is being coy, saying he has "more important things to do" than comment on the photo.

Planking, the act of lying face down your stomach across an unusual space and posting the image on the internet, has become popular in New Zealand despite 20-year-old Brisbane man Acton Beale plunging seven storeys to his death earlier this month.

His death prompted Ms Gillard to warn against the craze.

"There's a difference between a harmless bit of fun done somewhere that's really safe and taking a risk with your life," Ms Gillard said.

"Everybody likes a bit of fun, but focus has to be on keeping yourself safe first," she said.

Several New Zealand schools have banned the activity after photographs posted to the website showed students stretched across railway tracks.

Three employees of New Zealand's largest dairy company Fonterra were suspended after they were caught planking in a butter-making factory in the small South Island town of Timaru.

The town has a reputation for planking enthusiasm. A planker was also photographed lying atop its 12-metre-high aviary.



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Source: AAP


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