March 29, 2023
Nash fall adds to Whaitiri workload
Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri has been asked to lead the Hawke’s Bay cyclone response on an acting basis after Napier MP Stuart Nash was stripped of all his remaining ministerial portfolios.
Mr Nash, who lost the police portfolio earlier this month after revealing he had asked the Police Commissioner to appeal a court judgment, was sacked yesterday after news broke of an email he sent in March 2020 to two contacts about Cabinet discussions on a commercial rent relief package.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says it was a clear breach of collective responsibility and Cabinet confidentiality, and the conduct is inexcusable.
The recipients of the email, Troy Bowker and Greg Loveridge, were commercial property owners who had donated to Mr Nash’s campaign.
Minister Megan Woods will be the Acting Minister for Economic Development and Acting Minister of Forestry, and Minister David Parker will be Acting Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.