Whaitiri loses portfolios; still an MP
WELLINGTON: Labour MP Meka Whaitiri has been sacked as a minister over allegations of a fracas with a staff member but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has left the door open for her to return to Cabinet.
Ms Ardern said yesterday she no longer had confidence in Ms Whaitiri as a minister after receiving a report last night into an incident in Gisborne on August 27 between Ms Whaitiri and a staff member.
Ms Whaitiri holds the Maori electorate of IkaroaRawhiti, which stretches down the east coast of the North Island, and Ms Ardern said she would remain an MP.
Ms Whaitiri was suspended as customs minister on August 30.
Details of the incident have never been revealed but it is believed there was a physical altercation between Ms Whaitiri and a press secretary, who had been in the job for only a week.
‘‘While the facts are in dispute, the report says an incident occurred.’’
Meka Whaitiri continues to contest details of the incident, but there are elements which are agreed,’’ Ms Ardern said.
She would not reveal further details of the report by Ministerial Services because it was an employment matter and to protect the privacy of the staff member involved.
She said a version of the report would be made public.
Ms Ardern would not be drawn on whether an assault took place, saying she was waiting for that report to be made available.
She had spoken to Ms Whaitiri who had accepted her decision but still maintained her position.
She had talked to her about providing support on staff management.
Ms Whaitiri could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Ms Ardern said she still had confidence in Ms Whaitiri as an MP and left the door open for her return to Cabinet.
‘‘I like to, of course, leave openings for ministers to address the issues that been raised that have led them to lose their portfolios. I will do that for Meka as well.’’
Ms Whaitiri had held the portfolios of Customs, Associate Agriculture, Associate Crown Maori Relations, Associate Forestry and Associate Local Government.
Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi, who took over the Customs portfolio when Whaitiri was stood down, would keep it.
Ms Whaitiri’s associate minister responsibilities would revert to the lead ministers, and Ms Ardern said there were no plans for a Cabinet reshuffle.
Ms Ardern said Labour’s Maori caucus, which had thrown its weight behind Ms Whaitiri when she was stood down, supported her decision and Ms Whaitiri would remain as cochairwoman.
‘‘I’ve been advised by colleagues in her caucus that they wish to still support her in that role,’’ she said.
Maori caucus cochairman Willie Jackson declined to comment on the decision yesterday. — NZME