Kiri Allan has resigned as Minister of Justice.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Leaders of both the National and Green parties say it was untenable for Kiri Allan to continue as justice minister following her arrest on Sunday night.
Allan was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer, following a car crash in Wellington on Sunday night.
He was also issued with an infringement notice for having an excess of alcohol between 250 and 400 mcg.
As a result, he gave up all his portfolios.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon said he made the right decision.
Luxon says the situation raises questions about the judgment of Premier Chris Hipkins.
Photo: RNZ / Sam Rillstone
“It was the right thing for Kiri Allan to resign. It was quite untenable for her to continue as justice minister,” she said in a statement.
“Clearly this situation raises questions about the judgment of Premier Chris Hipkins.
“We wish Ms Allan well and hope she is getting the support and help she needs.”
Hipkins oversaw Allan’s return to work after taking time off to look after his mental health.
Allan had assured her she was ready to return to Parliament, she said.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw said Allan’s arrest was heartbreaking.
Shaw told the Morning Report that it was clearly untenable for her to continue as minister, but he felt sad for her and hoped she would get the support she needs.
“The Prime Minister and Kiritapu have made the right call.
“I think, first of all, it’s frankly heartbreaking, I mean, obviously Kiri has been through an incredibly difficult time recently and it’s possible for people in that situation to have a good time for weeks and then not, so I think we just have to recognize that he’s a human being like anyone else and he’s been through a very difficult time.”
All in all, it was a serious issue, he said.
James Shaw says the challenges imposed on people in Parliament are similar to those faced by many New Zealanders who are not in the public eye.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Shaw didn’t think anyone would judge if Allan went back to work too soon.
“You have to recognize that mental health is a huge challenge in this country, there are many hundreds of thousands of people who are obviously not in the public eye in the way that a government minister is, but who suffer from the same kind of mental health issues and I just hope that they can access the support that they need.”
Asked if he would accept that this was a significant blow to Labour’s re-election chances, Shaw said that ultimately, in a situation like this, the vast majority of people would see it for what it was: “that he is a person who has been in a state of distress and has been through this episode. I don’t think that reflects on the Labor team at all”.
Ngāti Kahungunu president Bayden Barber said the iwi would support Allan.
Allan was a talented minister and leader and the iwi will wrap a korowai of aroha around him, Barber said.
In a statement, Allan said that after taking time off to address a number of personal difficulties, he had believed it was “okay to juggle these challenges with the pressure of being a minister”.
“My actions yesterday show that I was not well, and I have let myself and my teammates down.
“I accept that my position as minister is unsustainable.”
