Clare Curran Demoted
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- Date published:
4:11 pm, August 24th, 2018 - 51 comments
Categories: broadcasting, labour, Politics, uncategorized, you couldn't make this shit up -
Tags: clare curren, sacked
PM Jacinda Ardern has just announced the demotion of Communications Minister Clare Curran. Curran had, for the second time, failed to be transparent about a meeting that should have been recorded in her diary and run by her staff first. Curran will retain some portfolios, though outside of cabinet.
It appears Curran was sounding out businessman Derek Handley for the role of Chief Technology Officer.
More as it comes …
The PM’s statement:
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has removed Clare Curran from Cabinet and accepted her offer to resign her Government Digital Services portfolio and Open Government responsibilities, following a second failure to properly declare a meeting.
Dr Megan Woods will take over as Minister of Government Digital Services and Ms Curran’s delegated responsibilities in relation to Open Government will revert to Chris Hipkins, as Minister for State Services. Minister Curran will retain her responsibilities as Minister for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, and as Associate Minister for ACC, but will now sit outside Cabinet.
In February this year Minister Curran met with Mr Derek Handley at her Beehive office in her capacity as Minister of Government Digital Services to discuss Mr Handley’s interest in the vacant Chief Technology Officer (CTO)role. This meeting took place after the first unsuccessful recruitment round for the CTO. As with approaches from other interested parties, the Minister directed Mr Handley to register his interest with MBIE officials. Applications reopened for the CTO role in May.
The meeting was not recorded in the Minister’s diary and neither the Minister’s staff nor officials were made aware of it.
The meeting was subsequently mistakenly left out of an answer to a recent Parliamentary Question for Written Answer. The meeting should have been included in the answer and the error has been corrected. Ms Curran has advised there have been no other meetings between herself and Mr Handley outside the application process.
“The failure to record the meeting in her diary; inform her staff and officials; and accurately answer Parliamentary questions has left the Minister open to the accusation that she deliberately sought to hide the meeting.” said Jacinda Ardern.
“While this was not the Minister’s intention, this is the second misjudgement and is not in keeping with my expectations, or the Minister’s expectations of herself. As a result I have chosen to remove Minister Curran from Cabinet.
“Transparency is important, even more so for Hon Curran given her Open Government responsibilities.
“I have accepted the Minister’s offer to resign her responsibilities relevant to this issue, which clearly she can no longer continue in. State Services Minister Chris Hipkins will take back the Open Government responsibilities which were delegated to Hon Curran, and Minister Woods will take over the Government Digital Services portfolio, which aligns with her Research, Science and Innovation responsibilities.
“The CTO appointment process is in its final stages. Minister Curran will have no further involvement in it and State Services Minister Hipkins will take over that process and finalise the details of the appointment and the implementation of the CTO role.
“Minister Hipkins has asked the State Services Commission to take a look at the CTO appointment process to ensure it has been robust, and that the meeting between Ms Curran and Mr Handley had no bearing on the process or outcome. The SSC will report back next week before the appointment process is concluded.
“I want to express my sincere apologies to Mr Handley who has been brought into this issue through no fault of his own. He is a qualified and capable candidate who has made it through to the final stages of the appointment process based on his talent, experience. The issue is entirely about the Minister’s conduct, not Mr Handley’s.”
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The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
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The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
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The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
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The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
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New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
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Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
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Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
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The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
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The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
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In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
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Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...21 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
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Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...3 days ago
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The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...3 days ago
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The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...3 days ago
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The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...3 days ago
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Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...4 days ago
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Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...4 days ago
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The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...4 days ago
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Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
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Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...4 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
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The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...4 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
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Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...5 days ago
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Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...5 days ago
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
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Press conference still going – can be viewed here.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/364851/watch-live-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-holds-media-conference
What an undignified, almost abusive, treatment of CC by this government. This ‘ press conference’ was clearly hastily arranged and she was hung out to dry.. And by her OWN ministry, RNZ! I’m no supporter of CC, but this is shocking. Clearly Clare is a battered minister, and out of her depth. She clearly needs a mental health time out. Come on NZ police, get her help, just like the National leaker.
I’ve never really been a fan of Curran and after the RNZ shenanigans I felt her to be a liability – more in terms of being an example of the Peter Principle.
Perhaps with this demotion she can focus on broadcasting and prove me wrong.
How long are you prepared to wait ? She’s a lightweight where a heavy hitter is required or it’s more of the same IMO with no significant impact.
C Curran… an accident looking for a place to happen.
Best move Jacinda made was today when she sacked Clare Curran.
This ineffective mole was errant as the Broadcasting minister.
Clare Curran needs to be fired from the Labour Government also, as she was just a dead weight, and was working alongside the CEO of RNZ (a National Party appointtee) to undermine the Labour Coalition Governemt at every chance she could!!!!!
Shame on Clare Curran she was apparently just a National mole for sure.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106546493/jacinda-ardern-announces-clare-curran-removed-from-cabinet
“Labour MP and minister Clare Curran has been removed from Cabinet.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had removed Curran from Cabinet and accepted her offer to resign her government digital services portfolio and open government responsibilities, following a second failure to properly declare a meeting.”
‘
Good job – but bad timing. The news would’ve been all about Soimin Bridge’s expenses leak, now the MSM is going to go into orgiastic bliss about this. At least its a Friday.
Don’t forget, the Aussies have a new PM. That’s quite a few competing stories to dominate the news cycle.
‘
Yeah, true. And, as was pointed out to me, there’s really no “good timing” for this sort of announcement except on a Friday in the midst of other, more
pressingclick-baity news.Lol
Yes there is
It’s on a Friday afternoon just before the weekend when every one is looking at Aus and the Nats
There couldn’t be a better time
That’s how it’s done, Simon. Having high standards – or any standards – could help you here. Look and learn.
+ 1
No, just carry on. You’re doing just fine. (wink)
Justice for Michie and Cunliffe. Indirect, but it’ll do.
😀
The West Remembers.
Doesn’t lose any pay.
Weak
I heard Curran would lose around $30k a year
Not sure how that would work
She has lost arguably the least important portfolios of the ones she has and still has all the perks of a minister
She still has broadcasting and digital
Do you not get that losing a portfolio and being demoted to a position outside Cabinet is a significant personal rebuff? She has been disciplined by her leader after a second infraction and will be eating a good ration of humble pie. More significant than any loss of income is the loss of trust and personal influence. For a person with a good social agenda of reform and change, to lose this power and influence is far more powerful. You see, it’s actually not about the money or the perks.
No I don’t in this case
She keeps her two important portfolios and all the perks and pay that come with being a minister.
She was the minister for open govt FFS and she still has the 2 important ones (as the other obviously wasn’t to her) Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media
In moving to an outside cabinet role her salary drops from $288,900 to $243,841. So her fuckup cost her $45,000 p.a.
https://www.parliament.nz/media/3151/parliamentary-salaries-and-allowances-determination-2016.pdf
It’s $50k pa lost.
Cabinet Minister’s are $296k , those out of cabinet are $245k
Politically the last week has been a slam dunk for Labour and particularly Jacinda. The MP pay freeze, and a cracking of the whip with her caucus is showing she is growing into the job, while the Nats have a leader whose political instincts look… suspect.
“Suspect” to say the least.
Curran proved she is out or her depth in the environment. That someone as unaware and naive got to the position she has is astonishing.
That someone as apparently unaware of the bear pit of politics and her party and Government’s vulnerability to anything not being perfect, is amazing.
She’d be out of her depth in a paddling pool.
The failure to record this meeting, led to staff giving an inaccurate answer to a written question. And occured before the first matter came to a head. So is part of the same learning to follow correct procedure.
CC was a weak link. A pity she still has broadcasting. A quality, commercial free TV channel looks impossible now. By the time she does anything TV will be irrelevant. Oh well…
Sounds like she was on her first and final warning after what she did to that lovely lady from RNZ or was it TVNZ. Which she should’ve got the ass back then in my books as she destroyed the lady’s media career which she was very good at unlike this muppet of an MP.
Curran reminds me of Shearer when she’s interviwed…’um..err…um..’ hopeless.
As for Derek Handley hope he does not get the job.
Serial non performer for investors…Fever pitch and more recently Snakk media…looked awfully like a pump and dump operation.
Should have been gone months ago. What an idiot she is
Who has temporarily got the portfolios?
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/364851/clare-curran-i-ve-let-myself-down
Woods and Hipkins are shopkeepers.
But the portfolios are so minor they could go to an Undersecretary or a Select Committee Chair as graduation presents.
I had been thinking that David Parker sounded intelligent. And then there was a long discussion on radionz about agriculture and feedlots and he kept talking about rain events. To me that gives a picture a politician in deep hypnosis being given all the answers to every possible question. There is a word for using long terms because they make speech sound more portentuous, something like augmentation.
I feel that Guyon Expiner is understanding the matter being discussed, in depth and not just asking awkward questions to rile or obfuscate. Can it be?
Beyond Little and Parker this Cabinet batting lineup tapers off pretty fast.
Hopefully Ardern does a wee reshuffle after Christmas.
Lees Galloway looks o.k..Hipkins,Twyford and Robertson are more than a match for the opposition in difficult portfolios.imo.
Parker is at 11 and Hipkins is above him.
Below Parker they’re either spent, or had nothing to spend in the first place.
Ouch!
Currens a bloody idiot, always a liability. She doesn’t deserve a second chance. As for Hipkins he can’t handle the education portfolio. The guy needs to learn to shut up he is really pissing teachers off. What’s worse he has no vision for the portfolio. He is another liability Jacinda needs to sort ASAP.
Somewhere CV is yelling I told you so .
Yeah CV certainly vindicated. But hey anyone with any political smarts new Curren was a lite weight of idiot proportions.
Curran is apparently very well connected within the Labour Party. The meta of this demotion is Jacinda is now completely in charge.
As opposed to Simon Bridges, who is, errrrr, struggling with his caucus.
I think he’s tied up trying to defend Trump against the outcry from normal people.
Never one for priorities was CV. Just anarchy.
That and being a sworn diciple of Jordan Peterson. Probably thinks that Curran now needs a man to control her or something.
nah. He’d be outraged she still has a job, and assuring everyone he has a masterplan to get rid of her.
Expert use of the Friday dump and the dump under cover by the Ardern Government. Promising signs that they can fight the Nats at their own game, and win.
The PM has removed Curran (whether this was necessary or not is another story) without a ripple felt even in the Wellington beltway, let alone the wider electorates.
A masterclass in political management.
Hardly. She’s still there. Everyone knew this was a Friday dump. Rookie.
Colonial Viper.
Curran should lose her ACC portfolio too. Labour is merely administering the National Party’s policies, with the result that thousands of people who suffer personal injury are getting shafted every year. Guess which Party most of them voted for (or used to until they gave up on politics altogether). The only move Labour has made is the introduction of a Bill, written by and for ACC, overturning decisions it lost in the courts. And one more thing: Labour is now making injured people pay for the right to appeal their shaftings to the District Court (where 80% of them lose their appeals, but that’s another story). I note that Curran didn’t even mention her ACC job in the interview she gave after she was sacked from the two portfolios that matter to her.