Ardern gets her priorities sorted
Jacinda Ardern told reporters that a scandal involving covert photographs of journalists reporting on NZ First Foundation donations was not a priority when she sat down with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and other Cabinet Ministers on Friday.
‘‘I did not consider it a matter that needed to be discussed at Cabinet or by the Government. Instead I prioritised issues like coronavirus,’’ she said.
But Ardern did have time over the weekend to squeeze in a meeting with Sir Elton John ahead of his Auckland show on Sunday, which she also attended.
‘‘We didn’t sing a duet if that’s what you mean – we talked like normal people, but very briefly,’’ she said, of her meeting with John. She said the chat involved ‘‘a bit of politics, I might have commented on how Neve loves to dance to his music’’.
Ardern has repeatedly refused to comment on the NZ First scandal, declining media when the story broke on Thursday, and walking away from reporters asking questions on Friday.
Despite meeting with Peters at Cabinet, Ardern did not demand an explanation for why photos of
Stuff journalist Matt Shand and RNZ’s Guyon Espiner ended up on right-wing blog, the BFD.
Peters initially claimed some responsibility, telling MagicTalk, ‘‘we took the photographs’’. He later backtracked and said it was a ‘‘supporter’’ who took them.
Ardern has so far not asked Peters to clarify, saying it was an NZ First party matter not relating to Peters’ position as a minister in her Cabinet or deputy prime minister.
When asked whether she set any standards for the conduct of parties in her Government, Ardern said, ‘‘Of course.’’
But she would not say whether the donations scandal, referred to the SFO or the covert photography of journalists breached those standards – and she said she wouldn’t be asking questions to find out.
‘‘Ultimately, you’re asking me to act as judge and jury in what is a case involving party members and past leaders of that party,’’ she said.
‘‘I absolutely respect and appreciate the interests that you all as journalists will have in this
‘‘We didn’t sing a duet if that’s what you mean . . .’’ Jacinda Ardern on chat with Sir Elton John
issue,’’ she told the media.
‘‘It isn’t for me as prime minister to preside over that issue which is ultimately a matter for another political party,’’ she said.
She also would not say whether or not Peters should himself front to media to explain the situation.
‘‘Ultimately for every political party leader the way which they engage with you in media is a matter for them,’’ she said.
Details of the NZ First Foundation were uncovered in a Stuff investigation in November 2019, showing that it appeared to act as a slush fund for the party. Bank records, invoices and emails revealed about half a million dollars of donations between 2017 and 2019 had entered into the foundation bank account.