‘That’s not who I am now’ says Haumaha in apology

An inquiry will be held into the process that led to the appointment of Wally Haumaha as the Deputy Commissioner of Police after his controversial comments about Louise Nicholas were revealed.

Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters said Cabinet will consider the matter on Monday to determine the details of the inquiry and its terms of reference.

It comes after Haumaha “unreservedly apologised” for comments he made when Nicholas publicly accused his police colleagues of rape.

The Herald yesterday revealed that Haumaha questioned why Nicholas had publicly accused his police friends and that he continued to support them after the scandal broke.

One officer told the 2004 Operation Austin investigation that Haumaha — who was appointed by Police Minister Stuart Nash last month — described Nicholas’ allegations as “a nonsense” and said “nothing really happened and we have to stick together”.

Yesterday Nash said he had been unaware of Haumaha’s “deeply disappointing” and “unacceptable” comments.

Haumaha yesterday released a statement acknowledging the “concerns expressed by Louise Nicholas and others” and said, “I take responsibility for those comments, I deeply regret them, and I unreservedly apologise for the hurt and concern they have caused. That does not reflect my view or the values I bring to the job every day.

“My previous association with those individuals does not reflect who I am now nor what the NZ Police stands for today.”