Opposition critical of Finance Minister after grim fiscal update, and the death toll from Vanuatu's 7.4 magnitude quake rises to 14. Video / NZ Herald, Getty, Michael Thompson
The country’s top District Court judge has issued an apology after a judge and her celebrity doctor husband gatecrashed and disrupted a Christmas party for New Zealand First at an exclusive private member’s club.
The fracas, which took place last month at Auckland’s prestigious Northern Club, saw the judge allegedly yell at Winston Peters, and her husband allegedly corner Casey Costello and berate her during the festive gathering. At the same bash, a top lawyer was accused of taking photos against club rules.
The Post reported District Court Judge Ema Aitken heard Winston Peters, party leader and Deputy Prime Minister, making a speech in a room next door to a separate event she was attending, tried to get in and yelled: “He’s lying! How can you let him say that?”
Her husband, former intensive care specialist and star of television programme Middlemore Dr David Galler, also allegedly yelled at Peters and was accused of cornering Costello.
Galler said to Peters: “You’re doing a s*** job in government”, The Post reported.
Judge Ema Aitken and her husband Dr David Galler. Photo / Supplied
Galler denied allegations he tried to block Peters’ exit, The Post reported.
Galler is reported to have told a Northern Club staff member: “Since when did we start allowing Indians to enter the club?” and rejected any notion it was a racist remark, saying he was simply making a “historical” observation.
Galler was also seen allegedly verbally attacking Costello over her repealing smoke-free legislation.
Aitken and Galler have been approached for comment by the Herald.
Prominent barrister, Michael Reed KC, also turned up. And when turned away by NZ First secretary Holly Howard, he allegedly became agitated, ignored requests from staff to leave, and started taking photographs of attendees on his phone against club rules, The Post said.
Barrister Michael Reed, KC. Photo / Pool
Reed photographed government minister Shane Jones’ wife Dot Jones, who then began recording video footage herself.
The Herald has approached Jones for comment.
The Northern Club described itself as a 'distinguished private member's club' and is situated on Princes St in Central Auckland. Photo / Richard Robinson
The country’s top legal official, Attorney-General Judith Collins, said she was left appalled by the fracas.
“I have told the Chief Justice that such behaviour is completely unacceptable and I expect it to be addressed,” she said in a statement to The Post.
“I have passed on to New Zealand First that what they experienced is completely unacceptable.
“I will also be writing to the Northern Club to convey that remarks based on ethnicity are completely unacceptable to me.”
Attorney-General Judith Collins. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu apologised on behalf of the court and said he had spoken to Judge Aitken about the incident.
“[Judge Aitken] accepts that her behaviour on this occasion was inappropriate and rude and has subsequently apologised to New Zealand First and to the Northern Club,” Judge Taumaunu said in a statement provided to the Herald.
“Although I have not received any complaints, I have taken the proactive and unusual step of apologising unreservedly to New Zealand First on behalf of the District Court of New Zealand.
“I have also made it clear to Judge Aitken that this was a regrettable, unfortunate, and unacceptable series of events which she accepts.”
Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello. Photo / RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Herald has approached Reed for a statement.
A spokesman for New Zealand First also told The Post the party would not be commenting at this time.
Northern Club chief executive Michael Shah declined to provide comment to The Post as well.
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