The Minister Of Maori Affairs Dover Samuels has strongly denied accusations made against him for sexual misconduct and
says he will step down from his ministerial duties while the matter is investigated by police.
In an emotional speech in Parliament this afternoon Mr. Samuels said the letter detailing “serious personal
allegations.. ...from a time over 14 years ago” was first referred to him by the Prime Minister last night.
Mr. Samuels said he “categorically denied” the allegations, which he said were a deliberate attempt to hurt himself and
his family
He said he would not go into detail about the allegations as they affected a number of people, some of whom were not
known to him.
Mr. Samuels also hit out at ACT Party Leader Richard Prebble who passed on the letter to the Prime Minister’s office,
saying it was a matter which first“..should have been referred to the police.”
He said he had since referred the letter to the police himself and offered them his full cooperation in assisting police
in this case which he hoped would soon be settled.
Mr. Samuels said he would stand down from his ministerial duties while the matter was being investigated.
Following is a full transcript of the Minister’s statement.
“Mr. Speaker last night the Prime Minister referred a letter to me over the signature of Mr. Richard Prebble the leader.
The letter contained serious personal allegations against me from a time over 14 years ago.
“Mr Speaker I am not going into detail about these [allegations] as they affect a number of people not all of whom are
known to me.
“The allegations deliberately seek to deride me personally, my family, my whanau, my hapu, Nga Puhi and Maoridom.
“I wish to make it clear to the house categorically that I absolutely deny and refute the very serious allegations in
this letter, allegations that should have been made to the police. I have referred the letter to the police for full
investigation myself.
“I have offered the police my full cooperation in this investigation. I hope Sir for the sake of everyone concerned that
the case will be cleared up as soon as possible.
“Sir it is interesting for this house to note that in fact these complaints were not referred to the police but came by
way of the leader of ACT, Richard Prebble.
“Whilst this investigation is been undertaken I have asked to take leave from my Ministerial services.
“Thank you Mr. Speaker.”