Heads of a number of government agencies attended a meeting today called by Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott amid allegations of personal data misuse and to ensure claims are thoroughly investigated.
The allegations involved the use of Census data at Manurewa Marae and whether it was used for Te Pāti Māori’s election campaign.
Stats NZ has launched an independent investigation into claims first reported by the Sunday Star-Times that Census data was misused, while health officials have sought assurances Covid and immunisation data had been used properly.
Te Pāti Māori has strongly denied the claims.
Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott said action to investigate allegations related to last year’s election is underway.
Baggott announced the action was underway to ensure the allegations were “thoroughly investigated”.
“Today I convened a meeting of the heads of Stats NZ, the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Internal Affairs, Te Puni Kōkiri, Oranga Tamariki and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.”
The Electoral Commission and NZ Police were also in attendance.
The meeting was a first step to ensure that all relevant agencies are acting to examine the recent allegations, Baggott said.
“It has been alleged that personal information was improperly shared and used at last October’s general election,” she said.
“It is also claimed that taxpayers’ money may have been misused.
Police have received complaints and they have an investigation underway, Baggott said. The Privacy Commissioner has been notified by Stats NZ and has also requested information and assurances in relation to the reported allegations.
“These are serious allegations that go to the core of trust and confidence in our public institutions and our democratic processes,” added Baggott.
“If true, the allegations represent a serious misuse of citizens’ personal information and an unacceptable breach of public trust.
“It is important for all involved that the facts are established. I encourage anyone with relevant information to contact the appropriate authority.
“It is essential New Zealanders can trust their personal information is secure and not exploited, and trust the integrity of our electoral system.”
The Public Service Commission said the following actions are underway:
- Stats NZ has initiated an independent investigation and assurance review into the allegations of misuse of the Census data. The Terms of Reference will be released today.
- The Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand are seeking urgent assurance that Covid and other immunisation information has been appropriately used and managed
- Oranga Tamariki has processes underway to provide assurance that data provided to Manurewa Marae has been appropriately used and managed.
TPM seeks investigation
In a statement today, Te Pāti Māori said its co-leaders had written to “the Prime Minister, the Police Commissioner and Minister of Police seeking the Police lead an urgent investigation into the allegations made against Te Pāti Māori”.
“Whilst we have welcomed the independent review initiated by Statistics New Zealand, we consider that given our knowledge, these allegations are frivolous but require police to sanction our view,” president John Tamihere said.
“We have asked the journalist to front with the evidence on behalf of those making the allegations. They have not.
“We welcome an immediate investigation into these allegations to once again prove our innocence, and to highlight the bias in media.”