How stupid can you get?

Written By: - Date published: 12:48 pm, May 15th, 2014 - 24 comments
Categories: national, same old national - Tags:

On May 1, 2014 the New Zealand Herald reported on a complaint that Denis O’Rourke had through Parliamentary Services employed his live in partner to be his assistant.  He denied the allegation and at this time no further action is being taken about the complaint.

Today the Dominion Post has reported that National MP Claudette Hauiti has employed her partner to work for her as an issues assistant in her Electorate Office.  From the article:

List MP Claudette Hauiti’s wife, Nadine Mau, was employed as an issues assistant in Hauiti’s electorate office in Auckland from April 7 until last Wednesday when she was sacked.

Under direction from Speaker David Carter, MPs are not allowed to employ their spouse or partner, either in or outside Parliament.

Hauiti said she was unaware of the prohibition on employing spouses when she contracted her wife to work in her office.

“I’m really disappointed that I didn’t know the rules, I’ve only been here a year and I should have kept up to speed with that and I didn’t.

“I made a really big mistake.”

I note that the intervention happened only after a Parliamentary Services Staff Member alerted speaker David Carter.  Hauiti’s wife was fired on May 7 and the speaker advised on May 5.  How she missed Denis O’Rourke’s very public difficulties has not been explained.

Crosby Textor will not be pleased.   If you wanted a further example of how National is out of touch and only looking after themselves at the expense of ordinary Kiwis this is it.

24 comments on “How stupid can you get? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. shorts 1
    15 May 2014 at 1:01 pm

    I’m so sick, (understatement), of our elected officials not knowing the rules that govern themselves, one would almost think this is intentional – these muppets determine and make our laws and enact pressure on govt agencies on how to enforce those laws, except when it comes to themselves

    This woman needs to stand down or preferably be sacked

    And the sacking of her partner should be looked at as I doubt that is a legal way to terminate an employment contract – why should the employee be the only victim here?

    • BLiP 1.1
      15 May 2014 at 3:06 pm

      ‘

      National MP Claudette Hauiti is neither elected nor an official. She was next on the list after Unhappy Gilmour got pissed and made an arse of himself. Thus far, National MP Claudette Hauiti’s performance as a Member of Parliament would indicate a certain lack of depth, if you ask me. Not sure how Nadine Mau can be framed as a victim, though.

      • shorts 1.1.1
        15 May 2014 at 3:34 pm

        elected from the party list then – regardless of whom she replaced, apologies for splitting those hairs

        Her partner is a victim – employed by Hauiti… and sacked by Hauiti through no wrong doing of her own, ie a victim… of her partners rule breaking and overt stupidity, not to mention potential violation of current employment contract

        • BLiP 1.1.1.1
          15 May 2014 at 4:02 pm

          ‘

          Well, okay, if you say so. Tough situation. The National Party has stripped most of New Zealand’s worker protection legislation from the statute books and replaced it with a jack-boot. Actually, when it comes to victims, you should see what senior National Party MPs think about them when it comes to domestic violence. Fingers crossed Nadine Mau has a union to help her out.

      • The Lone Haranguer 1.1.2
        15 May 2014 at 6:33 pm

        When you only get the job in the first place because you are the MPs wife, then shes no victim for losing it for being the MPs wife.

  2. Clemgeopin 2
    15 May 2014 at 1:06 pm

    This National Government has become a very discredited outfit. Shame on them!

  3. captain hook 3
    15 May 2014 at 1:56 pm

    so what is the lickspittle speaker of the house going to do about it?
    and furthermore every night on the teavee you see john key surrounded by a squadron of journalists (sic) but you only ever see one story per night.
    who employs these people and what do they do for their money if they cant report a proper story of corruption.
    has the whole country gone gaga?

  4. Tracey 4
    15 May 2014 at 2:13 pm

    its okay cos hauiti didnt personally benefit, just her wife, just like the minister for dairies husband in oravida

  5. Tiger Mountain 5
    15 May 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Heh, after this situation Hauiti won’t have to ask people “do you know who I am” unlike the boofhead she replaced.

  6. The Lone Haranguer 6
    15 May 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Dayum. I didnt even realise that there was a Claudette Hauiti in Parliament.

    I figured she must be a Nat because you lot were bleating, but lets get real here. The real story isnt that Hauiti employed her wife, its that Hauiti herself has collected a salary for the past year while playing “The Invisible Lady”. As the replacement for Aaron Gilmore, shes proven to be as good as him.

    The backbench List MPs (on both sides) really are the troughing royalty of New Zealand politics

    • Tracey 6.1
      15 May 2014 at 4:45 pm

      she put a question last week in question time. i wondered who she was then.

      kind of makes a joke of the person yesterday crowing about post rofernomics nz and that you dont need to know someone in a union to get a job…. you just have to know a national mp.

      perata
      collins

    • Visubversaviper 6.2
      15 May 2014 at 10:22 pm

      She does not say much ‘cos the Nats won’t like what she says. Patsy questions is all she gets.

  7. BLiP 7
    15 May 2014 at 2:45 pm

    ‘

    HOW STUPID ENTITLED CAN YOU GET ?

    FIFY 🙂

    I dunno if its a matter of being stupid as much as its a matter of taking advantage without even thinking about it; the very idea that it might be against the rules is of no consequence as it never enters consciousness. Basically, if you’re a National Ltd™ MP, “the rules” don’t really apply, especially if you happen to be the Minister of Justice on a junket ostensibly to lecture the Chinese on corruption. Kinda ironic.

  8. Populuxe1 8
    15 May 2014 at 3:37 pm

    Pretty sure that Denis O’Rourke’s “live in partner” is a bit of an assumption – otherwise I’m going after half my flatmate’s stuff.

  9. Tanz 9
    15 May 2014 at 3:38 pm

    the wheels have really fallen off now…or is it a fizzer?

  10. GMM 10
    15 May 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Hopefully she’ll “announce her retirement” following the election immenently. What a waste of space.
    In a way she’s probably fortunate this came out in budget week, where most of us are looking in the other direction.

  11. One Anonymous Bloke 11
    15 May 2014 at 4:37 pm

    Memo to National MPs: committing petty crimes will not take the heat off Judith Collins.

  12. Foreign Waka 12
    15 May 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Even if she did not know about the rule, common sense should have indicated that a taxpayer funded position is not meant for friends and family members. How dare she thinks that the taxpayer is so stupid to belief her excuse.

  13. Tiger Mountain 13
    16 May 2014 at 6:22 am

    Please correct me if I am wrong but apart from the Dominion Post the Hauiti story appears to be otherwise missing in action in the msm.

  14. the right fear me 14
    16 May 2014 at 6:45 am

    reminds me of someone who did,nt know the rules and made DC look stupid….ring amy bells Greg??

  15. Paul Campbell 15
    16 May 2014 at 12:16 pm

    but, well yay for the normalisation of gay relationships, marriage etc even on the right

    boo on the other hand for another Nat caught with their snout in the trough

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    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    1 week ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 26, 2023 thru Dec 2, 2023. Story of the Week CO2 readings from Mauna Loa show failure to combat climate change Daily atmospheric carbon dioxide data from Hawaiian volcano more ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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