‘Never OK’ to ask about political ties

State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has written to public services bosses to remind them it is ‘‘never OK’’ to collect data on political leanings.

Earlier this month Stuff revealed that Inland Revenue was asking the public about their political leanings in a $125,000 research project undertaken by Colmar Brunton.

Yesterday, Hughes said he was examining the matter at IRD ‘‘as well as other government departments’’.

The ‘‘examination’’, which is being conducted internally, is expected to take six weeks.

Hughes said he had also written to chief executives this week reminding them of their responsibilities to maintain political neutrality.

‘‘I have told them that it is never OK for a government agency to seek or collect information on the political leanings or party affiliations of citizens,’’ Hughes said in a statement.

‘‘Political neutrality is a fundamental principle of the Public Service – one that cannot be compromised for other interests. New Zealand’s public service has an international reputation for political neutrality and it is vital we uphold those standards.’’

In his letter, Hughes told the chief executives that he had the ‘‘ultimate responsibility’’ for state services remaining politically neutral. ‘‘I take that responsibility very seriously.’’

Following the Stuff report, Minister of State Services Chris Hipkins wrote to Hughes asking him to examine what happened and to provide an assurance that the principle of political neutrality is understood.

National’s finance spokeswoman Amy Adams urged Hughes to investigate right across the state sector.