House move within rules, Clark says
HEALTH Minister and MP for Dunedin North David Clark says he did not break lockdown rules for a third time by moving items between homes during Alert Level 4.
Under the Alert Level 4 rules, people were not allowed to move into or out of their houses.
Dr Clark was seen repeatedly moving between two Dunedin properties during the monthlong Level 4 lockdown, as his family had moved house.
The Otago Daily understands the properties are in the same street in Opoho.
In a statement, Dr Clark said he used his previous house as a work office while the country was in Level 4.
‘‘I moved house, using the services of a moving company, on the Wednesday immediately before the Level 4 lockdown began,’’ he said.
‘‘My new house is just up the road from my old one.
‘‘During lockdown, I used my old house as my office and occasionally walked the odd item or box back with me, as is within the rules.’’ Earlier this month, he was demoted and stripped of his associate finance portfolio after he admitted taking his family on a 40km round trip to a beach during lockdown and also going mountain biking on a trail.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the time that under normal circumstances, he would have been sacked.
‘‘What he did was wrong, and there are no excuses.
‘‘But right now, my priority is our collective fight against Covid19,’’ she said.
‘‘For that reason, and that reason alone, Dr Clark will maintain his role.’’