‘'The Minister has shown a lack of judgment over a period of 12 months'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has dismissed her Workplace Relations Minister over revelations of an inappropriate affair with one of his staff.
Iain Lees-Galloway has quit his ministerial role with immediate effect and will resign as an MP at the September election.
Ardern said that as Lees-Galloway, who is married with three children, was minister for workplace relations and safety that having an affair could be open to accusations of misusing his power.
Lees-Galloway said in a statement he had “acted completely inappropriately in my position and cannot continue as a Minister”.
Read more: More health and safety changes on the horizon
Ardern told reporters that over the course of the conversation with the Minister, it became clear to her that his position as a Minister was untenable.
“The Minister has shown a lack of judgment over a period of 12 months,” said Ardern.
“In undertaking this relationship he has opened himself up to accusations of improperly using his office.
“He has not modelled the behaviour I expect as a Minister that is in charge of setting a standard and culture in workplaces. His actions have led me to lose my confidence in him as a Minister.”
Ardern said the Minister takes full responsibility for his actions and accepts the decision. He has also decided not to stand at the next election.
Read more: More health and safety changes on the horizon
Carmel Sepuloni will become the Minister for ACC, Andrew Little will become the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety and Kris Faafoi will become Minister for Immigration.
“Politics is a place where we do need to maintain standards, and politicians should pay the price for mistakes, their families should not,” said Ardern.
“I do ask that we try and maintain that distinction.”
