The Ministry for Primary Industries has stopped seconding its staff into NZ First Minister Mark Patterson’s office.
Patterson is the Minister for Rural Communities and the Associate Agriculture Minister.
A whistleblower came forward to 1News raising concerns about the treatment of MPI staff in the Minister’s office. It is understood formal complaints have been made and more than one MPI staff member has left the office. No MPI staff are still working in the office.
Patterson is not directly involved in the incidents and the Minister brought in Ministerial Services once he was made aware of the complaints.
In a statement, MPI’s Director People and Capability Kaye Ryan said: “We are working with Ministerial Services regarding staffing of the office, but as we have a duty of care to our employees, and to protect their privacy, we cannot comment further at this time.
“MPI does not currently have any staff in Minister Patterson’s office.”
More than one formal complaint has been laid against the office of NZ First Minister Mark Petterson. (Source: 1News)
Ministries second private secretaries into Ministers’ offices to assist in providing administrative and personal support. They are also a key liaison between the Minister and that respective department.
The whistleblower said: “This situation has had significant impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of the staff involved.”
A spokesperson for Patterson’s office said: “As this is an internal employment matter, the Minister is not in a position to provide comment for privacy reasons. I can clarify that the Minister is not directly involved.”
And the Department of Internal Affairs added: “Ministerial Services is aware of complaints involving staff in Mark Patterson’s office. As this is an employment matter, we will not be providing further details. We can confirm the complaints are not related to the Minister.”
The Prime Minister’s office declined to comment about the situation.
It comes a day after National MP Andrew Bayly resigned from his ministerial portfolios after putting his hand on a staff member’s arm during an “animated discussion”.
“I have apologised to the staff member and regret placing them in an uncomfortable position,” Bayly said yesterday.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: “Mr Bayly indicated to me that his actions fell short of the expectations he sets himself, and that are expected of Ministers, and as such has offered his resignation as a Minister, which I have accepted.”
