Acting PM must explain conflicts of interest
Serious questions of probity regarding the appointment of Wally Haumaha as Deputy Police Commissioner must be answered
by Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters, National’s Police spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
“This appointment is being called into question, not only because of Mr Haumaha’s highly disappointing comments about
serious allegations made against fellow police officers which the Police Minister says he wasn’t aware of, but also
because of his close ties to the Acting Prime Minister and NZ First.
“It was today confirmed Mr Haumaha was selected to run as a candidate for NZ First in the 2005 General Election.
“Given both of these issues it’s clear that there are potential issues of probity and conflicts of interest regarding
his promotion under a Labour-NZ First Government.
“Mr Peters must explain whether he disclosed this conflict at Cabinet given Mr Haumaha was once a candidate of his
party, and how this conflict was managed during the appointment process.
“He must also explain his completely inappropriate appointment of NZ First MP, and former party official, Tracey Martin
as the minister in charge of the inquiry.
“Mr Peters needs to explain how the public can now have confidence that the inquiry will be independent, robust and
transparent.
“These questions, and the questions put to Police Minister Stuart Nash last week, must be addressed by the Government if
the public is to have any trust in its processes and to ensure the hard-earned reputation of our police force isn’t
tarnished.”