Summarised by Centrist
Findings from the Public Service Commission’s investigation into alleged misuse of personal data at Manurewa Marae won’t be made public until late January 2025.
The inquiry, launched in June under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s direction, centres on claims that Census and COVID vaccination data were improperly used to aid Te Pāti Māori’s election campaign.
The marae, which served as a voting site, had links to Takutai Tarsh Kemp, the party’s Tāmaki Makaurau candidate and its former chief executive. Te Pāti Māori has denied the allegations, with president John Tamihere demanding evidence to substantiate the claims.
The scope of the investigation includes Statistics NZ, the Ministry of Health, and several other government entities. Stats NZ previously partnered with Whānau Ora agencies, including Manurewa Marae, to improve Census participation among Māori. However, electoral integrity concerns arose when the Electoral Commission acknowledged it failed to manage conflicts of interest linked to the marae’s dual role as a voting base and the campaign headquarters for Kemp.
The findings are expected to impact public trust across the public service. Critics argue the delays hinder accountability, particularly as police, privacy, and electoral inquiries remain incomplete.
Electoral Commission chief Karl Le Quesne admitted missteps, stating, “We got that wrong.” With broader systemic implications, the findings could reshape oversight and governance in the public service.
