The very Kafkaesque attack on Kiritapu Allan

Written By: - Date published: 4:46 pm, July 2nd, 2023 - 54 comments
Categories: Media, media abuse, Parliament, public services, uncategorized - Tags:

Franz Kafka was a 20th century writer who wrote about individuals finding themselves in surrealistic predicaments and being subject to incomprehensible bureaucratic powers.  The word Kafkaesque has been used to describe “bizarre and impersonal administrative situations where the individual feels powerless to understand or control what is happening.”

I cannot help but wonder if Kiri Allen feels as if she is the subject of a Kafka novel, given what has happened to her this week.  And the National Party inspired and what appears to be coordinated attacks in the media are worrying.

Things started off Tuesday of last week when in this Andrea Vance article the Department of Conservation stated publicly that it had raised concerns about the working relationships in Allan’s office more than a year previously and that one staffer had left her office early as a result.

According to DoC chief Penny Nelson:

One person chose to end their secondment early due to the working relationships in the office. Accordingly, I had discussions with my colleagues, including from Internal Affairs, which manages Ministerial Services, regarding support in the office.

No further concerns were subsequently brought to my attention, and I understand relationships improved.”

Requests for information from DoC, DIA, NEMA and the Public Service Commission were all made the day before by Vance and were all along the lines of if there has been any reports or complaints about inappropriate behaviour directed at staff by Allen.

At this time Allan had sought leave from work because of personal matters.

As stated by her:

Over the past few weeks I’ve really been struggling with mental health and wellness.

Triggered by personal circumstances, as well as other external things – even things like the cyclones having such a massive impact on our entire region.

“Sometimes things accumulate, and I hit a wall a few weeks ago. I kept going, showing up to events, smiling, giving speeches. But about a week ago, I had to be pretty honest with myself that I needed to put my mental well-being at the forefront of my focus.”

Then the next day Simeon Brown kept the story going by raising concerns about a mysterious text.

Again from Vance:

A mystery text message – kept secret by senior public servants – is at the centre of a controversy swirling around Cabinet Minister Kiritapu Allan, and is now the subject of a complaint to Parliament’s information watchdog.

Stuff revealed on Wednesday that a Department of Conservation employee, seconded to work with Allan chose to leave early last year because of concerns about “working relationships.” That saw DOC chief executive Penny Nelson take concerns to the Department of Internal Affairs, which manages Ministerial Services.

Allan, who returned to Parliament on Thursday after taking mental health leave, has said she “never had any formal allegations made against me in any way, shape, or form”.

At the same time as Stuff was investigating, the National Party was also asking questions. MP Simeon Brown, the party’s public services spokesperson, had lodged an Official Information Act request with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

He submitted the detailed list of questions after he heard reports of Allan, who is regional economic minister, withdrawing abruptly from an event.

The text in question was sent by MBIE deputy chief executive Robert Pigou.  He said that the text does not express concerns about staff working in the office, there is no correspondence, formal or informal, between him and the Allen’s current private secretary for regional development in Allan’s office that refers to Allan’s behaviour, that no formal complaints have been made by staff about Allan’s conduct and no staff were removed from the office because of concerns.  He also said that he has good relationships with staff, and is confident they would share with him any concerns about safety and wellbeing.

But this was clearly not enough for Vance.

Both Allen and Hipkins disputed the unsourced and undescribed allegations.  They both emphasised that there has been no formal complaint about her behaviour.

And clearly Vance wanted to get the denial before she then released more details about the allegation.

On Thursday she posted this story:

A senior public servant, with decades of experience, says Cabinet Minister Kiritapu Allan “yelled and screamed” so loudly, staff in the office heard the telephone call.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they witnessed Allan’s interactions with younger staff members both from government agencies and her Beehive office in a meeting, as well as seeing her “absolutely berate” another official for 20 mins on another occasion.

Allan “strongly refutes” the allegations.

Another former senior official with a long history of public service, has also spoken to Stuff to confirm they had concerns about Allan’s dealing with staff. “Basically low trust and respect of public servants was [the] issue,” they said.

The article clearly relies on the “anonymous senior official”.  Allen is being asked to respond to allegations without detail or names or time frames made by faceless senior officials who are breaking all sorts of understandings by speaking anonymously to a reporters.

Then today Vernon Small again in Stuff made comments suggesting that Allan’s future lies in the balance.

He relies heavily on the third hand reporting of unconfirmed comments from anonymous public servants when the only public servant who has gone on the record has confirmed that there are no formal complaints and that he would be confident that staff would share with him concerns about safety and wellbeing.

How Kafkaesque can you get.

Perhaps Allan has been too brusque with her behaviour on occasions.  This would not be unknown.  Not every politician is a Jacinda Ardern and Parliament’s history is replete with examples of bad behaviour.

But this story has strong elements of a manufactured dragged out pseudo crisis and one no doubt fuelled by National’s highly resourced sewerage collection unit.  And the timing clearly implies at least an element of cooperation between National and the Press.

The timing was especially beneficial because the story broke at the time that Chris Hipkins was completing a very successful visit to China.  Instead of discussing progress that had been made in the New Zealand China relationship he had to answer questions about an incident that have never been described in adequate detail.

National’s coffers are full and clearly their sewerage collection unit is going strong.  Expect more of this sort of story in the next few months.

54 comments on “The very Kafkaesque attack on Kiritapu Allan ”

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  1. tWiggle 1
    2 July 2023 at 4:54 pm

    The boom-boom-boom nature of the personal attacks looks like a pre-planned electioneering offensive, timed to drop bombs regularly onto Hipkins' front bench. Clouds policy wins with reputational ambiguity.

    • Bearded Git 1.1
      2 July 2023 at 6:31 pm

      Hipkins said last week that he knew the Nats had put in a FOI request in relation to Allan.

      I don't think playing DP wins you votes.

    • Powerman 1.2
      4 July 2023 at 8:24 am

      NAct are so devoid of policy and morality that they have to descend into the gutter of Dirty Politics once more.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.2.1
        4 July 2023 at 8:38 am

        NAct are so devoid of policy and morality

        For sure. Its a given and in their DNA . The TV 1/3, Herald, et al "news reporters" are merely going to their base of viewer/advertiser/voters.

        Labour…and esp the Greens must highlight their points of difference from NAct.

        Nothing is so sure, than NAct voters will vote. Labour….must get those young Tradie apprentices etc; and the Greens….surely there must be many thousands who would be so much better off ..than under a NAct boot.

        Just got to get them to Vote !

  2. tsmithfield 2
    2 July 2023 at 5:23 pm

    I posted a comment the other day saying that I thought that there was no need for Allan to resign over this if the facts are as they are currently reported in the media.

    At worst, she might need some training and support, assuming there is nothing more sinister at the root of all this. But, on the face of it, this situation is nothing like the breaches of trust that resulted in other ministers resigning/being sacked recently.

    Probably the best thing to do is just release all the information relating to the issues complained about. At the moment it is the lack of information that is causing the media speculation.

    • mickysavage 2.1
      2 July 2023 at 7:15 pm

      I agree with your first two paragraphs.

      <i>Probably the best thing to do is just release all the information relating to the issues complained about. At the moment it is the lack of information that is causing the media speculation.</i>

      If Labour does this it just buys into the narrative that there is something to address. I think they are best to ignore it.

      I am really concerned that National is amassing a filth folder.

      I am aware of a recent incident where a Labour member who does not hold office was rang by a reporter to check on something they did. I am absolutely astounded that a reporter should hear about it but I can see the newsworthy element to the story.

      BUT

      If they are digging down this far they must have a lot of resource being used to track down the slightest of interesting media lines. And then feeding it on.

      • tsmithfield 2.1.1
        2 July 2023 at 7:40 pm

        I am really concerned that National is amassing a filth folder.

        Maybe. But, isn't that just the way politics is played by both sides? For example, some of us might be a bit suspicious about how the media came to know about Luxon's Tesla situation. And of course there was the Hee Fee dirt digging back in the day. But no point complaining about that sort of thing.

        I think the wise thing to do is to assume the other side will search for weaknesses and exploit them.

        I think the way both parties can defend against this sort of thing is to ensure they know any weak areas and deal with them before they blow up in the public sphere.

        • mickysavage 2.1.1.1
          2 July 2023 at 7:52 pm

          Maybe. But, isn't that just the way politics is played by both sides?

          Nope. Labour sucks at this. They are way better when they do not engage in this sort of behaviour.

          As for Tesla I can confidently say that the information came from non Labour sources.

          The Hee Fee dirt digging, a perfect example of why Labour should not do it.

          My impression is that the other side is pouring huge resources into digging up dirt. And Labour has neither the resources nor the wish to do this.

          • tsmithfield 2.1.1.1.1
            2 July 2023 at 7:59 pm

            Nope. Labour sucks at this. They are way better when they do not engage in this sort of behaviour.

            Well, if they think that this sort of game is being played against them, then they really need to know where their vulnerabilities are, and have a convincing answer when they come up.

            As for Tesla I can confidently say that the information came from non Labour sources.

            And I certainly have no knowledge about that. And, even if it were a political hit, it could have come from another party, even potentially ACT, which is why I was very careful with how I worded that comment.

            But, I could just imagine that as the sort of detail a political research organisation with time on their hands could come up with then hand to the media.

            • mickysavage 2.1.1.1.1.1
              2 July 2023 at 8:03 pm

              I can really confidently say that Labour does not have a dig up dirt on the opposition department. The Tesla story came from elsewhere.

              • tsmithfield …
                2 July 2023 at 8:16 pm

                I have no knowledge about whether National is digging up dirt on Labour. But, tbh, it wouldn't surprise me.

                If I was advising National on the way to play this, I would advise not to attack Hipkins directly, given he is a popular, well-liked leader. And deservedly so.

                Rather, I would advise to attack the team around him, as they seem a lot less well disciplined, and many are relatively politically inexperienced.

                This then creates a lot of fires for Chippy to keep having to fight which makes him less effective in what he wants to be doing, and also look less in control of his party.

                It just seems to be the obvious strategy. So, not surprised this is the way it is playing out.

                • newsense …
                  3 July 2023 at 3:01 am

                  Do a lot narrative manipulation or encouragement in your day job?

                • Charlotte Rust …
                  3 July 2023 at 8:25 am

                  How about National just come up with good, properly costed policy that benefits the many instead of the few? Might be a more honourable way to win an election. The muckraking is despicable, desperate and makes them look like bitchy school kids and snakes of the highest order. They’d all better be squeaky clean but we all know how sleazy most of them are.

                  • tsmithfield …
                    3 July 2023 at 8:27 am

                    It is being assumed that National is behind this. But is there any actual evidence of that?

                    • James Simpson …
                      3 July 2023 at 8:59 am

                      There is no evidence of that at all.

                      It gets a bit tiresome, but is also just a feature of modern day politics which most people roll their eyes at.

                      If there is a negative story about Labour, then it must be National's dirty politics and there can't be any other explanation.

                      But if there is a negative story about National, its because they are leaking.

                    • tsmithfield …
                      3 July 2023 at 9:05 am

                      As I said earlier, it wouldn't surprise me if that were the case. But, other possibilities are open as well. For instance, people Allan may have rubbed up the wrong way getting a snitcher against her.

                    • ianmac …
                      3 July 2023 at 12:50 pm

                      Smeon Brown was digging via OIA and released his report the same day as Stuff. Of course Brown is above dirty tricks.

                    • Patricia Bremner …
                      3 July 2023 at 1:59 pm

                      Try harder!! Follow the money!! Who stands to benefit.???

                      Not Labour, that is certain. It has hallmarks of past smear tactics.

                    • Patricia Bremner …
                      4 July 2023 at 6:48 pm

                      Brown going fishing. Past behaviour.crying Bad characters still there.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 2.1.1.2
          2 July 2023 at 11:00 pm

          But, isn't that just the way politics is played by both sides?
          …
          But no point complaining about that sort of thing.

          But, "but no point complaining about" dirty political behaviour – it's normal?

          With a modicum of effort, you may recall the Jami-Lee Ross, Michelle Boag and (recent) Judith Collins stink-fests, and that's the Nats in opposition – pugh!

          A brief dive into the National Party's recent troubled history
          [25 November 2021]

          All politicians stink? Just how 'the game' is “played“?! Maybe you're right, but I reckon the worst stinkers are less about public service, and all abour self-service.

          National Party leader Christopher Luxon reveals worst thing he's ever done amid Sam Uffindell scandal [13 August 2022]
          "I think the worst thing I can say is I was probably in a bus lane and I might have got a $60 fine for it."

          “think” – “probably” – “might:

          How National selects its candidates is more than a bad joke
          [18 April 2023]
          After a string of scandals, National pledged to strengthen its candidate vetting process and increase diversity. Sexist jokes and homophobic comments suggest they have a way to go…

          Trust National? To milk NZ dry, sure – just don't expect them to lift the bar.

          Luxon proudly wore his Crusaders shirt to the National Party conference on the eve of last Saturday’s Super Rugby final. While it was a bold and somewhat unexpected gesture, it would have carried more impact had he shown that National was going to lift the bar in politics the way the Crusaders have in rugby. – 29 June 2023

          I don't agree that there is necessarily any pressure on National "to lift the bar". They are putting together the standard play book that parties of the centre-right need to get elected for their standard three-term governments (if the past is any guide):
          tax cuts (no matter that they favour the rich, will add to inflation, and cannot be afforded anyway);
          tough on crime (no matter that crime is steadily on the decline anyway, under both National and Labour, and that none of the suggested solutions such as boot camps work);
          put the boot into Māori (no matter that they would have to be the most multiply-disadvantaged social group in NZ);
          take the pressure off farmers (despite the fact that, aside from the fourth Labour government, farmers have never been placed under any meaningful pressure to meet international obligations such as climate change etc.);
          more roads (despite the fact that when National was last in power almost none of the "roads of national significance" met standard cost-benefit criteria for public investment, and anyway we should be reducing our emissions footprint in this area);
          more greenfields housing (despite the fact that this will inflict major infrastructure costs, will undermine needed urban densification, and will not deliver affordable housing);
          lift restrictions on housing investment (almost certain to result in a lift in house prices and lose $1 billion in tax).

          • tsmithfield 2.1.1.2.1
            3 July 2023 at 7:11 am

            For all his faults, I think that is something Cam Slater got right.

            There isn't any dirty politics. It's all just politics. Once these rules of the game are understood, it is much easier to play the game.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 2.1.1.2.1.1
              3 July 2023 at 11:42 am

              The problem of politics as a game [17 February 2014]

              Is an acceptance that politics is a game feeding a weary cynicism about the whole exercise of democracy? [4 December 2021]

              Politics is not a Game [4 March 2021]

              If politics is a game, then your life is a joke. This expression about politics being a game is as baseless as it is useless, and it is one of the paradigms that need to change about the way we view politics.

              Democratic politics is not just some beauty contest of egotistic and highly confident people seeking high political office. Rather, it is the “collaboration of similar-minded people to create a positive influence in society through leadership and accountability”.

              The problem is some pollies and others can afford to treat politics like a game. So then who is trying to create a positive influence on the other half of society?


              The Side Eye’s Two New Zealands: The Table [16 August 2022]

            • Patricia Bremner 2.1.1.2.1.2
              3 July 2023 at 2:01 pm

              Well you are out from under your political rock at last. We see you.

              • tsmithfield …
                3 July 2023 at 3:19 pm

                It is not that I agree with that approach. Just that I think it is a political reality that parties should plan for and be prepared for.

                It is pointless complaining about it after it happens. What will that achieve?

                • Shanreagh …
                  3 July 2023 at 4:04 pm

                  It is not that I agree with that approach. Just that I think it is a political reality that parties should plan for and be prepared for.

                  I agree this is just good pragmatic 'meeting it as it comes', and no amount of 'we don't do things like that round here', that I must say I have some problems with, will prevent this stuff from happening. Forearmed is forewarned. Not thinking that a tit for tat gets us anywhere but 'no surprises' when it works does work.

                  While the 'no surprises doctrine espoused by the former CE of MSD to pass on gossipy type stuff about Hon Peters and his National Super payments has given this warning a bad name, there are ways to do better.

                  Knowing how the parliamentary precinct 'leaks' for want of a better word I would not be surprised if irks & jerks around the place knew that Hon Allan was having problems. Possibly PS CEs, Ministerial Services and SSC.

                  I can sense that perhaps PM Ardern may have had all sorts of people speaking to her or her Chief of Staff, about things that may have been lost in the transition to PM Hipkins. He strikes me as being a bit mercenary in his approach and with a single focus on getting back into power, and if people fall over or out of the ship of state he may not turn back to find them.

                  Of course personal stuff does happen and with this, early notice is best. Of course no-one is going to come clean about stuff if it means that you will be relieved of portfolios.

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  3 July 2023 at 6:35 pm

                  It is pointless complaining about it after it happens.

                  Pointless complaining about dirty political 'games' – not in my book.

                  How attack politics is poisoning New Zealand's political environment

                  What's your poison?

                  What will that achieve?

                  Increased awareness – why not? And in that spirit (thanks):

                  A brief dive into the National Party's recent troubled history
                  [25 November 2021]

                  National Party leader Christopher Luxon reveals worst thing he's ever done amid Sam Uffindell scandal [13 August 2022]
                  "I think the worst thing I can say is I was probably in a bus lane and I might have got a $60 fine for it."

                  “think” – “probably” – “might”

                  How National selects its candidates is more than a bad joke
                  [18 April 2023]
                  After a string of scandals, National pledged to strengthen its candidate vetting process and increase diversity. Sexist jokes and homophobic comments suggest they have a way to go…

                  Trust National? Sure, when a senior Nat apologises for Dirty Politics – simple really – really simple.

                • Incognito …
                  3 July 2023 at 8:17 pm

                  First, you agree with Cam Slater that there’s no dirty politics and “It's all just politics” @ 2.1.1.2.1.

                  Here, you state “It is not that I agree with that approach”.

                  Explain what you mean with “that approach” if it’s all just politics, as Slater and you agree on. It sounds to me that you’re contradicting yourself but you can clarify this with a simple explanation.

            • Muttonbird 2.1.1.2.1.3
              3 July 2023 at 9:09 pm

              Frank admission that accepting and endorsing Slater as 'part of the game' we descend to the bottom like the Oceangate submersible.

  3. Anker 3
    2 July 2023 at 5:42 pm

    I am no supporter of Allan or Labour (formally was as most know), but I have to say this story does puzzle me.

    Unless there is a lot more coming, it does look like a beat up to me.

    I have many issues with Allan but a year old complaint coming out right now?????

    Vernon Small of Stuff writes an article (I can link if required) saying it is very unusual for senior public servants to criticize a mInister.https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300918717/labour-minister-kiri-allans-future-in-the-balance

    I did propose last week that perhaps Radio NZ were having a go at Allan after her inappropriate speech at her ex partners fairwell. I was accused of being a conspiracy theorist for this, but in reality, saying that was in support of Alan, because it is all very mysterious in my opinion.

    Why have senior public servants spoken out when it is so rare and why is Andrea Vance running the story?

    • tsmithfield 3.1
      2 July 2023 at 6:01 pm

      I agree with you.

      There is some mysterious text the public servants are refusing to release. The fact they won't release this is just fuelling speculation.

      I think they should just release it, rather than keep the speculation bubbling along.

      This is coming across to me as an orchestrated hit job from the heads of the departments rather than anything stirred up by National.

      • Shanreagh 3.1.1
        3 July 2023 at 4:50 pm

        This is coming across to me as an orchestrated hit job from the heads of the departments rather than anything stirred up by National.

        I doubt this very much.

        Simeon Brown is a user of the OIA process extraordinaire. He is a nimble 'peeker' and amasser of detail. He probably has his ear to the ground in places like the bars and restaurants in Parliament, even who is having coffee with who outside the place. This means he does not go for the king hit but is quietly gathering stuff. I think confirmation by the senior PS etc of what may have been an open secret that he may have confirmed through OIAs, may have been a surprise.

        While the research group of Lab will be looking at these OIAs and pondering 'what's he doing this for?' sometimes the reason is not so obvious. Then there is the innocuous seeming Oral question asking if the PM is satisfied with the events of the week. These can flag an interest in a topic. Usually it does prompt some advice to the PM's office of stuff that may be simmering in case the questioner does have some inside stuff.

        Public servant CEs would be more likely to raise concerns at regular meetings together/SSC. Those directly affected would be seeking guidance from SSC and with Ministerial Services etc. Also by not coming clean, all of the staff who were seconded or dealt with the Minister in her various portfolios get blamed and this might have led to the unusual 'truth' telling.

        With the many eyes on the PS as regards staff treatment, bullying no CE is going to want to send staff into an area where they may be treated badly and where there may be ongoing impacts such as mental health issues or PTSD that the CE will have to deal with once the staff come back.

        Also despite what the press are saying it is usual that middle high flyers are the ones sent as advisers, so staff where bosses can see they have a future higher up the department or PS. A spell in the Ministers office can be part of preparation for higher things and no CE is going to want to sacrifice a talented staff member just so someone can shout at them or treat them badly.

        Again no-one seems to have mentioned if Hon Allan apologised to the senior PS or staff for shouting etc, there would have been less of a story had this happened. So I'm picking it did not occur.

        But why now? Perhaps there was another instance of shouting/bad behaviour just recently that alerted people to the fact that things may have been quiet but they had not improved.

        Hon Allan has had health problems, personal relationship troubles, injudicious statements and the addition of a large and complex portfolio, Justice.

        She may not have had support to manage staff or maybe this did not work when she was under stress recently. Having seen a little of how dirty tricks work, a struggling Minister will alert watchers and wait-ers.

  4. Alan 4
    2 July 2023 at 6:11 pm

    Vernon Small is a died-in-the-wool leftie isn't he?

    • SPC 4.1
      2 July 2023 at 6:21 pm

      Holding those in power accountable and concern about workplace culture are media cause celebre and quite PC for those on the left or right. Thus it takes a brave one to question the pack mentality once someone "provides a source". Media do not question their sources, lest they do not get any.

    • Patricia Bremner 4.2
      2 July 2023 at 7:19 pm

      laugh Vernon moved on in June from David Parker's office of Attorney General. Now Why???? I"m just wondering…???

      • Shanreagh 4.2.1
        3 July 2023 at 5:02 pm

        Vernon moved on in June from David Parker's office of Attorney General. Now Why???? I"m just wondering…???

        To get back to being a journo perhaps? Come to the end of his term? Wanting out so he could reestablish his credibility as an investigator etc

        A press secretary's position can be an endless round of preparing/checking press releases from the Minister's office or preparing or checking speech notes, of cutting off adverse stuff at the pass, of wordsmithing. Then there are meetings with colleagues or peers about keeping the place quiet except for 'good stuff'.

        In a busy and controversial portfolio things happen, requiring drawing on political instinct/acumen and wordsmithing talent to brief a Minister on a way forward, but in a careful and relatively quiet portfolio such as the A-Gs this may/would not be happening.

        • Patricia Bremner 4.2.1.1
          3 July 2023 at 10:21 pm

          All that and a rehashed story. So Why??? I’m showing how any event can be twisted.

          • Shanreagh 4.2.1.1.1
            3 July 2023 at 11:22 pm

            Well the story may have been around since early last year but I don't think it was made public until recently so not perhaps publicly rehashed.

            I still think it has something to do with Simeon Brown and his sleuthing, OIA gathering etc. He may have been asking about staff turnover in Ministers offices or even more specifically in Hon Allan's office.

            When I worked there 'mumble,mumble' years ago you didn't have to work very hard to find out about other staff/offices. Shouty, shouty people seemed to be talked about whereas the good ones you only heard a whisper from staff who cared for them/respected them. Shouty ones (ministers and staff) were also kept an eye on as often the offices were unstable and could lead to staff being rotated or Ministerial reshuffles. This could have flow on effects on the dynamics of your own office.

            As to 'why now?' my thought is that ways to improve may have been put in place last year but these may have broken down recently. So perhaps specific ways that staff were to be managed, say putting a buffer between staff & Minister had been done away with or allowed to lapse.

            Sad that the Minister does not seem to be taking as much time away as some of her colleagues while the House is in recess.

            On another matter I hope your son in Australia is well Patricia. Was he facing some surgery a wee while ago? smiley

            • Patricia Bremner 4.2.1.1.1.1
              4 July 2023 at 7:49 am

              Thanks for asking. Grant has bowel growths, a precancerous family condition, (Serrated sessile adenomas) and is operated on to remove them yearly, (8th) before they become a cancer which has been fatal for half of Norm's family. Results were goodsmiley thanks. We relax 'till Feb next year.heart

              Kiritapu Allan… Perhaps because there was cancer, plus an earthquake 12 months ago, I just thought things might have been fraught.

              I personally consider the use of stress to cause problems for a Minister "after the fact", reprehensible and poor form by any supposed support staff. Not very professional if it had been agreed to resolve what ever it was 12 months ago, to relitigate. imo. (Also using 'dirt digging' is indicative of nastiness by some MPs.)imo.

  5. SPC 5
    2 July 2023 at 6:17 pm

    If NACT win, we'll be able to tell those who were merely part of the pack mentality from those who had jobs in their comms lined up.

  6. Ffloyd 6
    2 July 2023 at 7:28 pm

    Do you think that jk kept his pack under control by nightly sessions of yoga,tai chi and singing Kumbaya surrounded by flickering candles and wafting incense. I sincerely doubt it. He ruled with an iron fist and a serpents tongue. NOBODY crossed him. Reporters were shut down and threatened with having to submit questions to him TWO WEEKS in advance when they actually tried to do their jobs. All of this was jolly hockey sticks because, you know,’ that’s Johnny’ yuck yuck. If we had true reporters in those days, they would have uncovered his Machiavellian underbelly. But no, he cruised through. NOW we are facing a concerted attack by oppos, ably supported by the usual old journalist suspects, who will attack without any evidence by an *unsubstantiated grievance *by an,…as usual,… anonymous source. Accusations appear as Headlines SLAMMING them as a verified truth. Harks back to Bennett five sources when attacking Jamie Lee Ross. Fish rotting from the head down. Whole thing stinks.

  7. Peter 7
    2 July 2023 at 9:10 pm

    TV1 News at 6:00 on Thursday night started off with a big drama about Kiri Allan. The controversy of the ages apparently, a massive scandal was needing attention. The seriousness, the importance of the issues seemingly meant we'd have days of revelations and focus.

    TV1 News at 6:00pm 24 hours later?

    A big start with July 1st petrol price increases and some other cost increases then holiday weather. A report about Wesley College was mentioned, and Hipkins in China made the cut with a good old piece about a Warriors home game which even beat a thing about artificial sweeteners in soft drinks and events from France and Ukraine. There was coverage about admission to USA universities and race. A flight to the edge of space rated a call. Don't forget an item about wind in Wellington!

    All that followed by sports news. Was the Kiri Allan story just like sports news, here for one day then gone. Little Simeon had had his little play and was put back in his cot?

  8. Incognito 8
    2 July 2023 at 9:37 pm

    The rumours spread about Allan are fuelled by loaded questions. Loaded questions portray an unfair and biased mind, not an investigative and open-mind, e.g., by a non-partisan investigative journalist. Loaded questions can also reveal hidden agendas.

    Loaded questions come in all sorts of forms, some cruder than others. For example:

    When did you stop beating your wife?

    When did you stop fucking your pig?

  9. adam 9
    2 July 2023 at 10:38 pm

    My problem with Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics: How attack politics is poisoning New Zealand’s political environment . Is that it does not call out what this type of political behaviour is really called:

    RATFUCKING

    We are getting this on a almost daily basis from the Tories and their pets in the media. TV3 have a political editor so far down the rats nest, it's just out and out propaganda these days. The hit job on Nanaia Mahuta stated in the News Corp press in Australia.

    And now this about Kiri Allen. Our so called media are part of the ratfucking machine which has broken out in the led up to the election.

    It's low, and people need to start calling out these journalists as the ratfucking stenographers that they are.

  10. Anne 10
    2 July 2023 at 11:25 pm

    I know what is going on Micky. Its based on my personal experiences in the 1970s and 80s and early 1990s. But first:

    I've been following the British hacking scandal closely. It has just wound up but the judge’s decision is not expected before the British autumn. It is the story of what was going on among the British tabloids from the early 1990s onwards.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66055386

    NZ had a similar scandal which has yet to be publicly revealed. I refer to the scandalous rag “The Truth” newspaper. They were doing the same thing in the 1970s and 80s and it was no coincidence that RD Muldoon was PM during the most prolific years. I knew two of the individuals who were involved although I was not aware of it at the time. The motivation was to dig the dirt on Labour politicians and others deemed to be opponents of the Muldoon regime. In the process they committed illegal acts such as break-ins and phone-tapping and they were being paid to do it just as the British tabloids paid their bovver boys and girls. Private investigators were also used.

    I’m not suggesting the National and Act parties are committing unlawful acts, but this Allan case tells me there has been a great deal of illicit digging occurring… all timed to come to fruition in election year. There will probably be others to follow. The perpetrators whoever they are will be being handsomely paid just like their forebears.

    That is how rightwing parties choose to spend their masses of dosh from the rich pricks, who are more than happy to see it spent using amoral and questionable methods – especially if it wins the election and they get back their lust for power and control over the rest of us.

  11. newsense 11
    3 July 2023 at 3:15 am

    It did seem to lack any sense of justice.

    An employer /manager (of sorts) has returned from mental health leave after the break up of a relationship, attesting to the stressful nature of the job.

    They are met with public claims they are not able to fairly address, as they haven’t been made through the correct channels. The claims are from over a year ago, there is no ability to judge the context- other than the political one in which they were delivered.

    For example we recently had a case of public servants altering the democratic will of the parliament by revising legislation after the select committee without instructions to do so.

    The money quote is that Minister Allan shouted at someone.

    It only seemed to affect the person enough to talk to Andrea Vance at a politically sensitive time, not enough to engage any of the interventions they had available to them.

    If this was a private company Allan could sue for defamation and distress, particularly given the timing of the trial by media.

    Then a day later Stuff was running articles saying how little bullying protection there was for staffers. There’s certainly been none for the minister.

    It was also running an article making Sean ‘c*^>’ Plunket of the Platform look reasonable for playing silly buggers with a release of Family Court documents.

    There may be more to it, but the timing suggests a bored and craven media running a hit to take the shine off a serious international trip.

    • Anne 11.1
      3 July 2023 at 9:48 am

      … the timing suggests a bored and craven media running a hit to take the shine off a serious international trip.

      Absolutely. I wouldn't describe it so much as bored, but rather certain high profile journalists have bought into the NAct campaign… kill Labour by a thousand lies and innuendo. It's par for the course for them and has been since the days of Muldoon. He's the one who introduced "dirty politics" to NZ.

      So what's in it for Andrea Vance and co? We may not know for sure unless the campaign works and they are the government come October. Ministerial press secretaries and the like? It'll certainly be more than a few bottles of wine for a job well done.

      • tc 11.1.1
        3 July 2023 at 10:36 am

        What's in it for Vance ? Her job as it's been shown over the past few elections how owned these so called journos are.

        They push the DP cart along and sing for their supper on cue….we all gotta serve somebody.

  12. LawfulN 12
    3 July 2023 at 11:35 am

    If journalists are participating wittingly in National's attack strategy, they need to find another job. If they are doing it unwittingly, then they're just dumb and need to find another job.

  13. EE 13
    3 July 2023 at 4:03 pm

    "… the timing suggests a bored and craven media running a hit to take the shine off a serious international trip."

    The timing also suggests the worst of Dirty Politics…
    to put the boot in when someone's down.
    Nasty Stuff.

  14. Mike the Lefty 14
    3 July 2023 at 6:34 pm

    The National Party dirty tricks brigade is in full swing now.

  15. Corey 15
    3 July 2023 at 11:10 pm

    This is a non story and a total beat up and the longer it goes on the weirder it feels.

    This is different than Wood and Nash, who were both idiots.

    If they had issues with her behavior why wasn't it reported via the proper channels?

    Also, I don't wanna be rude, but if the staff member was from my generation, just about anything sets us off, perhaps Kiri didn't make them feel validated, seen or heard or special that day, perhaps kiri didn't allow them time to visualize happiness prior to the meeting.

    My generation thinks it's abusive to not have them be on the board of directors of organization after two weeks of interning.

    Seriously, I wonder how these people would have coped with Muldoon yelling at them after a few gins….

    Hell I wonder how the journalists of today would cope with him.

    • Jax Taylor 15.1
      4 July 2023 at 8:21 pm

      Corey by now they would have gone on The Platform or Garner's pitiful Editor in Chuff app and failed to budge him.

  16. newsense 16
    5 July 2023 at 1:12 am

    Dear Tory,

    Politicians aren’t supposed to drink in Wellington and flirt with wait staff!

    Politicians understand that Wellington is a dying city and to be seen enjoying living there and spending your public salary there is wrong…

    Hawaii is where politicians are supposed to go for holidays. It’s got kapa haka without the treaty! What a dreamy place…

    So again Tory stop making Wellington look fun and distracting from the image it has of the place where David Parker and Simeon Brown go to work. Party central.

    Sincerely,

    etc etc

  17. Alex Stone 17
    5 July 2023 at 9:49 am

    Thank you for this fine piece Micky.

    May I add that I find the naivety of certain NZ journalists to be surprising.

    This whole Kiri Allan story is clearly a National Party Dirty Politics beat-up; and clearly part of their tactics of not being able to contest policy, so attack people. And dupe journos.

    How can a year-old allegation from an anonymous source be the biggest thing in New Zealand politics right now? when we have

    – clear and very real environmental crises in climate change (see the effects in Hawkes Bay) and collapsing biodiversity (especially within the Hauraki Gulf – see https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/12-04-2023/the-hauraki-gulf-is-stuffed-and-theres-a-simple-fix-being-wilfully-ignored)

    – a cost of living and housing affordability crises (see the Greens tax and rental policies. Let's have an adult discussion about those)

    – a tax system that is cruelly unfair, where the very richest people pay a much smaller ratio of tax than the ordinary folk (see https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/27/new-zealands-millionaires-pay-lower-tax-rates-than-cashiers-its-time-to-fix-the-system

    – an opposition party (National) deeply compromised by conflicts of interest (like leader Luxon owning 7 houses, standing to gain millions in tax-free capital gains, yet pronouncing on policy that oppose capital gains tax; etc)

    – an opposition party (ACT) promoting policies that are proven to be dangerous or misguided (for example, voting for the machine guns soon after the Christchurch massacre; how would the recent knife attack in Auckland restaurants turned out then? Or promoting a flat tax rate, saying this will save the New Zealand economy – when the existing countries with flat tax rates are Bolivia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Go figure)

    So yes, let's move on from the Kiri Allan story; and talk about the real issues for this election aye

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