Another minister stood aside
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has stood Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri aside while an investigation is carried out into staffing issues in her office.
Stuff has been told relations in Whaitiri’s office are toxic and she is understood to have been through an entire rotation of staff during the short time she has been in the job.
People who are close to the situation told Stuff yesterday Whaitiri can be unpleasant and difficult to deal with, but it’s understood Ardern’s actions relate to a specific incident involving a single staff member.
The investigation follows allegations that Whaitiri shouted at a staff member, during which it is understood there was physical contact.
Police are not involved in the incident.
There have been a growing number of questions asked about the number of her staff going through her office.
Ardern said she accepted an offer from Whaitiri to stand down while the investigation takes place. Ardern found out about the issue on Wednesday night.
Ministerial staff are on eventsbased contracts, meaning they usually have little comeback other than a payout if their relationship with the minister breaks down.
For an investigation to be launched the allegations would have to be ‘‘significant and serious’’, Stuff has been told.
Whaitiri was a minister outside of Cabinet with responsibility for Customs and associate agriculture, local government, and Crown/Ma¯ ori relations.
Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi will take on the Customs portfolio, while lead ministers will take over associate roles – with Damien O’Connor taking over the agriculture delegations, Nanaia Mahuta her local government delegations, and Kelvin Davis her Crown/Ma¯ ori relations delegations.
‘‘Meka Whaitiri has told me she will be fully co-operating with the investigation, which will be thorough and conducted as quickly as possible,’’ Ardern said.
Ministerial Services are carrying out the investigation.
Whaitiri is the second minister to be stood down in less than a week, after Clare Curran was stood down from Cabinet and two roles over a second meeting she failed to properly declare.
Ardern said she would not comment further during the investigation.