Jack Tame: We need a broad, transparent inquiry into allegations against Te Pāti Māori

A fascinating interview on the Mike Hosking breakfast this morning, with the lawyer acting on behalf of former workers at Auckland's Manurewa marae, where it is alleged that private information was improperly accessed to help with election campaigning.  

Now these are really, really serious allegations and it is just so important to note that Te Pāti Māori and John Tamihere have denied all allegations of wrongdoing so far. At the moment we have Stats New Zealand investigating, the police are investigating as well. Health New Zealand is involved and now the privacy commissioner is considering what, if any steps to take.  

But I for one think it's probably reached a point with this issue where a broader inquiry can be justified. Not only to restore public confidence in the census and in election processes, but also for Te Pāti Māori and for John Tamihere to have the opportunity to be publicly cleared of wrongdoing.  

You see, there are several issues with this. We have, for starters, several interrelated allegations - which are in themselves a little confusing and a little murky. We have a government department that is investigating, while a legal representative for some of the workers at the centre of these allegations says that another government department, the MSD, has acted improperly. And I think that having won the Government Department essentially investigating another department's role risks perceptions when it comes around a lack of independence, at least in the eyes of some voters.  

It's interesting, Christopher Luxon says he's not ruling out a public inquiry, but at the same time he probably needs to be pretty careful to be seen not to be using (as yet unproven) allegations for political advantage. So he suggests the current processes need to be seen through. But I think we probably need something broader. I think we need something broader, something with clear terms of reference, something as transparent as possible. Because it is in the best interests of the voting public, but also the best interests of clearing those who say they've done absolutely nothing wrong. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
A fascinating interview on the My Costing Breakfast this morning
with the lawyer acting on behalf of former workers at
Auckland's manuder We and Marai, where it is alleged that
private information was improperly accessed to help with election campaigning.
Now these are really really serious allegations and it is
just so important to note that to Party Mardi and
John Tamerheaty have denied all allegations of wrongdoing so far.

(00:23):
At the moment, we have Stats New Zealand investigating, the
police are investigating as well. Health New Zealand is involved,
and now the Privacy Commissioner is considering what if any
steps to take. But I for one thing, it's probably
reached a point with this issue where a broader inquiry
can be justified not only to restore public confidence in

(00:45):
the census and in election processes, but also for to
Party Mardy and for John Tamaheaty to have the opportunity
to be publicly cleared of wrongdoing. You see, there are
several issues with this. We have, for starters, several inter
related allegations which are in themselves a little confusing and

(01:06):
little murky. We have a government department that is investigating,
while a legal representative for some of the workers at
the center of these allegations, says that another government department,
the MSD, has acted improperly, and I think that having
one government department essentially investigating another department's role risks perceptions

(01:28):
when it comes round a lack of independence, at least
in the eyes of some voters. It's interesting. Christopher Larkson
says he's not ruling out a public inquiry, but at
the same time he probably needs to be pretty careful
to be seen not to be using as yet unproven
allegations for political advantage. So he suggests the current processes
need to be seen through. But I think we probably

(01:50):
need something broader. I think we need something broader, something
with clear terms of reference, something as transparent as possible,
because it is in the best interest of the voting public,
but also the best interests of clearing those who say
they've done absolutely nothing wrong. For more from Hither Duplessy
Allen Drive, listen live to news talks. It'd be from

(02:13):
four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.