Hide Rodney: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Hide Rodney: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:619;Page:14793] 
1. RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: What message if any has he sent to officials in Te PuniKokiri about their potential involvement in the Maori Party; if none what involvement are they allowed? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE (Acting Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 Advice to staff on the issue of political neutrality including involvement in political parties is a matter for the chief executive officer of Te PuniKokiri. Staff are made aware of the guidelines in the  
Public Service Code of Conduct 
 and associated guidance issued by the States Services Commissioner. 
Rodney Hide 
: Given his answers does he believe it acceptable then that Ministers treat his officials like they did in the example of Ms Panoho especially when he himself attended Labour Party meetings while general manager of the Community Employment Group in order to secure the Labour Party nomination? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: No. 
Darren Hughes 
: Is the Minister aware of any guidance given to Te PuniKokiri officials on political neutrality? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: All staff of Te PuniKokiri are issued with the  
Public Service Code of Conduct 
 when they join the ministry. The code of conduct is further explained in greater detail when new staff attend the ministry’s induction. The ministry regularly uses internal communications to remind staff of their responsibilities and further the chief executive officer recently sent a message to all staff reminding them of their responsibilities. In the message he highlighted that: “When you join Te PuniKokiri you agree to serve the Government of the day and to maintain political neutrality.” 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Did the Minister’s colleague the Associate Minister of Maori Affairs John Tamihere notify him of his concerns about AmokuraPanoho’s involvement with the Maori Party after Mr Tamihere’s office staff had been at a meeting at which Mrs Panoho was also present and what was his response to Mr Tamihere? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: The Minister of Maori Affairs had a full frank and long conversation with the Associate Minister of Maori Affairs Mr Tamihere. In that conversation concerns were raised. Mr Horomia retorted that he was concerned. 
Tariana Turia 
: Given that the distribution of a lengthy memo to Te PuniKokiri staff about their involvement in political activities was sent out immediately after the registration of the Maori Party has any other message been sent throughout the two terms of this Government with reference to Te PuniKokiri staff being involved in any other political party? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: I am advised that that has been the case. 
Rodney Hide 
: What action is the Minister undertaking to protect Maori officials from Ministers ganging up on them for attending Maori Party meetings and how does he reconcile how Maori officials are being treated with his own treatment when as Community Employment Group general manager he was feeding information on Christine Rankin back to the Labour Opposition in a vain attempt to stop the Community Employment Group being folded into Work and Income? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: As usual a number of the allegations made by that member are unsubstantiated. The Minister of Maori Affairs has at all times handled this issue with the greatest dignity and integrity. 
Rodney Hide 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question specifically asked what action was being taken. I do not think it is correct for Mr Tamihere to argue that the allegations are unsubstantiated. All he needs to do in this House is deny them. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I thought the Minister addressed that question when essentially he did that. If the Minister wants to add to that comment he can. 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: The allegation of ganging up is a term rightly known to and utilised by ACT members. I know that nothing of the kind occurred in this instance. 
Rodney Hide 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Do I take it from your statement that you interpreted that the Minister denied that he had provided information to the Labour Opposition? I do not think the Minister is prepared to do that in this House. However I took it from your comment that he did. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Well the member took it incorrectly. As Speaker I have to judge whether the Minister addressed the question. He did. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: How does the Minister square the answers he has given in the House today with his actions when he was general manager of the Community Employment Group and a Labour Party candidate for Parliament when he used “Public Service databases office space telephones equipment and cars to call host and manage the Labour Party’s campaign.”? 
Hon JOHN TAMIHERE 
: He did not.