Minister apologises for funding threat
Embattled junior minister Alfred Ngaro has made his first appearance, offering a full mea culpa for his threat of funding cuts for organisations that spoke against the Government.
He confirmed he did not offer his resignation to Prime Minister Bill English, and did not think it necessary to do so, after his comments led to concerns that it reflected a wider attitude within the National Party.
‘‘The Prime Minister did not request it of me, I’ve apologised to the Prime Minister, I’ve apologised to Cabinet,’’ said Ngaro.
He had also apologised to a number of organisations he had singled out, including the Salvation Army.
‘‘I own my words. I own the things that I’ve said and I take responsibility for them, and I apologise.’’
The organisations he had spoken with had been gracious in accepting his apology.
‘‘But I also know that I need to continue to repair the [damage] from the words that I’ve said.’’
The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector since December, Ngaro said he was disappointed in himself and had taken the experience on board.
‘‘What I can say is this, is that I’ve continued to work hard to continue to put out the work that we’ve been doing in the community
"I own my words. I own the things that I've said and I take responsibility for them, and I apologise." Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Alfred Ngaro
and the work that we’re doing to try and make a difference.’’
Labour leader Andrew Little said Ngaro should have offered his resignation.
‘‘That is outrageous for a Cabinet Minister to do that, and I think in the absence of Alfred Ngaro tendering his resignation, showing he understands the gravity of what he’s done, I think Bill English should dismiss him.’’
Ngaro’s public apology comes nearly two weeks after the National Party regional conference in which he stood before party rank and file and took issue with groups criticising the Government.
English publicly reprimanded Ngaro, but drew short of demanding a resignation.
He ordered the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to investigate whether Ngaro had been involved in funding decisions since becoming a minister.
He had not.