Customs Minister stands aside due to staffing investigation

Labour MP Meka Whaitiri stands aside from ministerial responsibilities as investigation into staffing matters in her ministerial office is carried out

30th Aug 18, 4:56pm by Jenée Tibshraeny

Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri is standing aside from her portfolio while an investigation into “staffing matters” in her ministerial office is carried out.

Ardern says she was advised of the issue on Wednesday night, but won’t reveal more information on it due to privacy concerns.

Kris Faafoi will be the Acting Minister of Customs while Ministerial Services investigates the matter.

Whaitiri’s Associate Minister responsible (Agriculture, Crown/Maori Relations, Forestry, Local Government) will revert to the lead portfolio Ministers.

“Meka Whaitiri has told me she will be fully cooperating with the investigation, which will be thorough and conducted as quickly as possible,” Ardern says.

Whaitiri is a Labour MP from the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate.

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12 Comments

by printer8 | 30th Aug 18, 5:22pm 1535606521

I thought that Jacinda's problems would have more likely to have come from her coalition partners and especially New Zealand First.
However with issues with Stuart Nash (twice), Claire Curran (twice) and now Meka Whaitiri (and all within Cabinet) means that this is surprisingly not the case.

by Ex Expat | 30th Aug 18, 6:07pm 1535609232

TV news are reporting allegations of assault on a staffer in the ministerial office. It’s alleged to have occurred yesterday. This week is a political degustation menu for those of us that don’t support the COL.

by Nzdan | 31st Aug 18, 7:06am 1535655988

It’s like preschool without the teachers.

by Foyle | 31st Aug 18, 9:29am 1535664596

Being gay, maori and a woman she is near the top of the victimhood hierarchy and so nearly untouchable by any criticism. She'll get time-out for a while but be back as a minister before the end of this term - Labour has a severe shortage of women ministers (just made worse by Curran) which is a real problem for their virtue signalling operations.

by Zack Brando | 31st Aug 18, 9:44am 1535665478

NO DEAL~!! Gay trumps Lesbian and Assult trumps Maori .. have you not seen prison stats? Gay, bi, straight, miss-magic-jesus, whomever - she's down the road, only a matter of time.

by delboy | 31st Aug 18, 9:50am 1535665810

Surely there’s other MPs in the Labour talent puddle who could replace these two ministers.

by middleman1 | 31st Aug 18, 10:13am 1535667214

The Curren deceit and Ardern limp biscuit response story made page 3 briefly, this Whaitiri accusation of toxic relations with her staff gets passing MSM mention. Little to see here, an enquiry is underway so it's all good, move along.

A bell is ringing, something about a National born to rule type MP down south who was also in the gun for beating up his staff. For week after week we were deluged with MSM stories while this hapless prat was relentlessly hounded by media from the day the story broke. Rightly so I think. But I'm struggling to see the difference. All were MP's, but these two are ministers which you'd expect would drive even more media interest. But no. We get a bit of 'more in sorrow than anger, trust our Jacinda to do the right thing' stuff but the attack dogs remain largely muzzled.

by Zack Brando | 31st Aug 18, 1:16pm 1535678215

@ middleman

Let's see what Jacinda does before we all pile on - can we at least give her till Monday?

On the flip side, these issues seem to have been building. Meka Whaitiri's electoral office has a high staff turnover - the woman sounds like a menace!

Sunshine and lollipops isn't going to do it this time. Jacinda to many is the Queen of Hearts, so off with her (Meka Whaitiri's proverbial) head I say!

by middleman1 | 31st Aug 18, 10:32am 1535668360

Zac B. Cindy can hardly say 'naughty Clare, I'm going to take your leggo set off you but you can still have all the rest of your toys' and then send Whaitiri to the timeout room permanently. Our rock star dear leader has got herself in a bit of a bind.

by delboy | 30th Aug 18, 8:15pm 1535616955

These allegations are horrific. Jacinda needs to start showing some leadership and take control of this rabble.

by Zack Brando | 31st Aug 18, 9:12am 1535663538

@ delboy

Like you said, allegations. During the French Revolution they had a name for the guillotine - it was called the "national razor" - yes we want to dispatch with her ..

Good things take time you know, or have you never seen a cheese advertisement?

by Zack Brando | 31st Aug 18, 1:21pm 1535678467

It's going to be OK, these things happen. Meka Whaitiri, if guilty of assult needs to leave Parliament.

Pass the 'Waka Jumping Bill' then kick her out of cacus, which will require her to leave Parliament? - we'll have a wee by-election - job done!

Put the fear of God up the rest of them. The fear of God means to take God (Jacinda in this case) seriously and at her word.

It's totally ok Jacinda, so long as you indicate sternly and most importantly, unapologetically that this could very well be the case.

As for Winston and people's surprise that these issues aren't coming from New Zealand First - he's an asset to Jacinda - having had a lot of experience in Parliament and having been round all the traps.

I really think this is going to be fine, BUT Meka Whaitiri needs to be thrown out on her .. ear.