Investigation into Whaitiri report leak
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed an investigation into how a report which details the incident between Meka Whaitiri and a staffer was leaked to media.
Ardern told media in New York yesterday that she was ‘‘hugely disappointed the report was leaked’’ when efforts were made to protect the employee involved.
The Department of Internal Affairs advised her that it would undertake the investigation into how the report was leaked.
‘‘The fact I have stood the minister down out of her role as a minister demonstrates I was not satisfied of what I saw in that report,’’ said Ardern.
When asked if she was alarmed the employee had shown bruising on her arm, Ardern reiterated she was not happy with what she read in the report.
NZ Herald reported that the incident occurred because Whaitiri was unhappy she had missed a photo opportunity at a media standup with the prime minister at a function in Gisborne.
The staff member at the centre of the incident said in the report she wasn’t aware the standup was happening as she was on a break.
According to NZ Herald, the staff member claims in the report that Whaitiri came up behind her in the foyer of the building and grabbed her arm. She originally told the inquiry that Whaitiri had pinched her arm but changed that to grabbed.
NZ Herald quoted the staffer as stating that the incident ‘‘scared the living daylights’’ out of her.
Whaitiri told the inquiry that when she saw the standup taking place she looked for the press secretary and saw her coming towards her but she denied grabbing her.
During a meeting about the incident days later, the staffer saw bruising on her arm and photos were taken.
Yesterday, the prime minister said Whaitiri was still a Labour MP and someone who has worked incredibly hard across her electorate but had admitted some of the issues that have been raised.
Ardern confirmed welfare provisions had been made to the staff member. She said alternative employment had been found for the staff member.