Rt Hon Winston Peters
Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2018
MEDIA STATEMENT
Statement from Deputy Prime Minister on claims
“During Parliament’s General Debate this afternoon the National Party MP Chris Bishop claimed to have made a revelation
related to the Haumaha inquiry. He hasn’t made a revelation and I’m swatting-off this midge right now,” says Rt Hon
Winston Peters.
“There is no basis to Mr Bishop’s claim that I rang Mr Haumaha after the inquiry into his appointment was announced, nor
have provided any assurances on the matter. I have not called nor had any reason to call Mr Haumaha since the
controversy,” he says.
“My office has checked all my phone records since the inquiry was announced. No such call was made.”
“It is a matter of public record that this inquiry was initiated in my capacity as acting Prime Minister.”
“The public can have faith in the inquiry. It was initiated by Cabinet, it is being conducted by a highly respected
independent QC, and it will report back to Cabinet. The terms of reference have been publicly released. The final report
will be made public.”
“Regardless, any suggestion that New Zealand First Ministers are seeking to unduly influence this inquiry is baseless
nonsense,” says Mr Peters.
ENDS