Revealed — NZ First MP’s links with Haumaha
New family links between New Zealand First and controversial deputy police commissioner appointment Wally Haumaha have emerged, as one of the party’s senior ministers looks to restart the inquiry into the process that led to his promotion.
Fletcher Tabuteau, the deputy leader of New Zealand First, comes from Waiteti Marae in Ngongotaha near Rotorua, of which Haumaha is the chairman.
They are both Nga¯ti Nga¯raranui and Tabuteau referred to Haumaha as a member of his wha¯nau in his maiden speech to Parliament in 2014.
Tabuteau’s uncle Tommy Gear — a close friend of Winston Peters — is a trustee of the Nga¯ti Nga¯raranui Hapu Trust along with Haumaha.
Gear and Haumaha are senior leaders on the Waiteti Marae, where a special function in June last year celebrated Haumaha’s promotion to assistant police commissioner. New Zealand First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Peters was one of the speakers at the function, as was Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
Haumaha’s appointment became controversial after the Herald revealed comments he made in support of fellow officers involved in historic police rape allegations made by Louise Nicholas.
When the Herald broke the news in June, Peters was the Acting Prime Minister.
He announced an inquiry would be held into the process of Haumaha’s promotion to deputy commissioner and appointed Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin — a longtime New Zealand First member, like Tabuteau — to oversee the inquiry.
At the time, Peters and Martin downplayed Haumaha’s link to New Zealand First.
Martin appointed respected public servant Pauline Kingi to run the inquiry, which was due to start yesterday.
However, Kingi resigned after the Herald revealed she had endorsed Haumaha on LinkedIn, as well as advising the Auckland and Counties Manukau police districts.
Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a new chair was expected to be named this week.
“I have no concerns. We manage conflicts of interest on a regular basis . . . I’m satisfied we’ve been acting appropriately.”
National MP Chris Bishop said the inquiry had been a “farce” so far and Martin must now hand over responsibility for it.
“With the emergence of even more close ties between Mr Haumaha and NZ First, there is no way Ms Martin can possibly continue in the position,” said Bishop.
“To avoid the inquiry becoming a complete waste of time and money, Cabinet must replace Ms Martin with a non-NZ First Minister and appoint an independent QC as chair.”
In a statement, Peters said the public could have faith in the inquiry, which would be conducted by an independent person and report back to Cabinet.
“Mr Tabuteau is a Parliamentary Under-Secretary outside Cabinet and is a distant relative of Mr Haumaha, and they know each other from their marae and community.
“And, yes, I have visited Waiteti Marae on occasion. The first time was possibly 35 years ago, and the last time was while an Opposition MP,” said Peters.
“Regardless, any suggestion that New Zealand First Cabinet ministers are seeking to unduly influence this inquiry because of such community connections is baseless nonsense.”