Dover Sex Allegations - Police Begin Investigation - Maori Support For Dover - Dover’s History - 8 More America’s Cup
Defections
DOVER SEX ALLEGATIONS: The Minister of Maori Affair Dover Samuels has stepped down after ACT Party Richard Prebble sent
a letter detailing serious sexual offences many years ago. Mr. Samuels has strongly denied the allegations. One of the
allegations One News reveals was that Mr. Samuels had sexual relations with an underage girl which he later procured an
abortion for. Mr. Samuels says the girl was not under age. Meanwhile ACT and National have asked the Prime Minister why
she didn’t reveal the allegations when she became aware of them last year.
POLICE BEGIN INVESTIGATION: The police have already launched an investigation into the allegations with new Police
Commissioner Rob Robinson announcing a Christchurch detective to head the inquiry.
MAORI SUPPORT FOR DOVER: Meanwhile Maori MPs from both sides of the House have risen to support Mr. Samuels. Labour’s
John Tamihere, New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters and the Alliance’s Sandra Lee have all voiced their support for
Mr. Samuels. The MPs support has been echoed by prominent Maori leaders. ACT’s only Maori MP, Donna Awatere, has
remained silent on the issue.
DOVER’S HISTORY: Dover Samuels, now sixty, has been a long time Labour party stalwart although he only came into
Parliament four years ago. He came to the position after defeating former New Zealand First MP Tau Henare by a landslide
in the last election. However since he gained his position as Minister his performance has been plagued with problems.
8 MORE AMERICA’S CUP DEFECTIONS: Months of America’s Cup speculation has become fact today – a Seattle syndicate has
approached 8 Team New Zealanders who have defected to the Seattle campaign. Team Leader Craig Gilmour introduced the
team.