Ministers remain silent on Colbert discussions
The Late Show host was told he couldn’t return to NZ. So why was it on the agenda at a closed-doors ministers’ meeting? Andrea Vance reports.
US TV star Stephen Colbert has lavished praise on New Zealand, talking wistfully of ‘‘a magical life of civic cooperation for the common good’’. He struck up a friendship with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and even dedicated a whole week of his show to the country.
So, it’s no surprise The Late Show host wanted to make a return trip to our Covid-free haven, following his 2019 visit.
But what remains a mystery is why the Government wants to keep back details of discussions about his request to come, accompanied by a filming crew.
The Late Show, which airs on CBS in the US, indicated to officials late last year that the host was interested in a repeat visit. But with the border closed, and managed isolation places tightly contested, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – the umbrella agency for Immigration NZ and MIQ – judged the visit wouldn’t be possible.
Colbert’s team didn’t get as far as applying for critical worker exemptions. But what happened next is unclear. Sunday News understands Colbert’s potential visit was discussed at a meeting of Covid ministers in early December.
That regularly held meeting involves ministers tasked with handling New Zealand’s pandemic response, including Covid Recovery Minister Chris Hipkins, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi and Ardern.
Since December, those ministers have refused to confirm if, or why, they discussed Colbert after MBIE officials had vetoed the visit. MBIE, and those ministers, have refused to release any information or official advice on Colbert’s request or the meeting, after Sunday News made a request under the Official Information Act.
They cited a clause that justifies confidentially to protect the exchange of ‘‘free and frank advice’’ from officials. Last week, ministers again refused to address or answer questions about the meeting.
A written statement from Faafoi’s office said: ‘‘On behalf of offices you contacted, the
Government is aware The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is keen to visit
New Zealand again. No decisions relating to this have been made.’’
A spokeswoman for MBIE gave an almost identical statement. ‘‘The government is aware The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is keen to visit
New Zealand again.’’
She added: ‘‘There is no doubt that coverage from a show with reach and influence like theirs is good for New Zealand and our economic recovery following Covid-19.
‘‘The visit is not possible right now, as we have to prioritise Kiwis through the Managed Isolation and Quarantine system, but we look forward to considering these types of activities in the future, balancing a number of competing factors.’’
During Colbert’s last visit, Ardern picked him up from the airport in her car and hosted him for a barbecue, with singer Lorde as a guest.
She said tourism officials noticed a spike in Americans investigating holidays in New Zealand after the segments ran. In December, another special aired, titled ‘‘Return To New Zealand: A Magical Land Where Hugs Still Happen.’’
National MP Erica Stanford, the party’s immigration spokesperson, said the system for deciding who gains entry to New
Zealand is ‘‘opaque’’.
‘‘The Government needs to explain what the massive secrecy is here. The fact they won’t even confirm that ministers have considered the matter is appalling. Yet again the so-called most transparent Government in history is not living up to its promises,’’ she said.
‘‘The Government doesn’t have any apparent plan or criteria to weigh competing interests. The decision-making process around who gets exceptions to come to NZ and who doesn’t is very opaque and needs greater clarity.
‘‘It’s a tough situation with the borders closed and limited space in MIQ but New Zealanders will quite rightly wonder how decisions about who gets in and who doesn’t are made.
‘‘National will be asking further questions about this.’’
In 2017, former minister Clare Curran pledged to be the ‘‘most open and transparent Government that New Zealand has ever had’’. Ardern admitted in September 2018 that the administration has not lived up to this commitment.
A promise to review the OIA has stalled under Faafoi, who is also justice minister.
Lauren Kamm, vice president of publicity at CBS said: ‘‘We have no plans to be in New
Zealand, but would love to return some day.’’