Tamihere payout – whatever you call it

National’s Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee says no matter what you call it John Tamihere took a $195,000 payment when he said he wouldn’t.

“So far the payment has been described as a gratuity payment, as a severance package, as an extended employment agreement, and as a golden handshake. Now Mr Tamihere says it was Koha.

A report today shows that Mr Tamihere considers the payment ‘koha’, which he was bound to accept for fear of causing offence.

“It doesn’t matter what you call it, the fact remains - this is a payment that Mr Tamihere accepted after saying he would not do so,” says Mr Brownlee.

“Surely there’s a name for that too.

“Is an enquiry really necessary for the Prime Minister to make a decision on what her deputy has already described as a political decision when the evidence is so resoundingly clear?

“Labour campaigned against golden handshakes at the 1999 election and Mr Tamihere said he would not accept such a payment from the Waipareira Trust. He later accepted $195,000.

“These facts are not in dispute and provide more than enough evidence for the Prime Minister to act decisively. She certainly didn’t beat around the bush when Lianne Dalziel’s integrity was in question,” says Mr Brownlee.

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