A former MP's backing for a new Opposition campaign comes with a stern warning. 

National has launched an electronic billboard drive, with the first highlighting the controversial He Puapua report.

Former Minister Peter Dunne told The Weekend Collective that there is fertile ground National can tap into over these problems, such as hate speech.

However, National has to be cautious about how it handles the debate. 

"It doesn't become tinged with things like the race debate or other things that make it look like some form of naked populism."

He says the one thing that gives him doubt is that their approach to He Puapua is "populist racism" and a "cheap shot", which doesn't inspire optimism about the campaign's success.  

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