PM ‘balancing principles of natural justice’ in Whaitiri case
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she has a certain expectation of behaviour from her ministers, which is why she acted in the case of Meka Whaitiri.
Ms Whaitiri stood aside from her ministerial portfolios on Thursday while she was investigated for an alleged altercation with a staff member in her office.
Ms Ardern would not comment on
Ms Whaitiri’s case yesterday, including whether she was aware if her Labour colleague had a history of bad behaviour.
She also would not comment on the reportedly high staff turnover in Ms Whaitiri’s office.
‘‘I’m leaving this to be completed by Ministerial Services.
‘‘Once they’ve completed their report, then I’ll make a decision on how it will be managed.’’
Ms Whaitiri, who is said to be difficult to work with, reportedly became involved in a heated exchange with a new staff member last week.
‘‘What I’m balancing here is principles of natural justice,’’ Ms Ardern said.
‘‘As soon as I found out about this issue I took action to make contact, of course, with the minister.
‘‘She offered up to stand aside while this investigation takes place. That is the right thing to do.
‘‘And once we have the report completed, then I will make a decision on how to deal with it.
‘‘It’s only fair that we look into it properly first.’’
Ms Ardern would not comment on reports Ms Whaitiri ‘‘manhandled’’ a person out of her office.
Asked about training for ministers, she said: ‘‘We seek guidance, as any employer does, from those who work across those issues to make sure that we’re always performing as the public would expect us to.’’
She said she had faith in her remaining ministers. — NZME