Marama Davidson told off for Whittaker's post - but which other ministers have promoted products on social media?

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is not the only minister who has arguably promoted products on social media – a quick scan of some other ministers has revealed Stuart Nash appearing to promote a lemon juice company and Craggy Range wines, and Megan Woods singing the praises of a local cafe and a shoe repair shop.

The Prime Minister's programme of visits is also a minefield of potential promotional activities with the cameras on her – from a recent visit to RJ's confectionery where she admitted to liking the raspberry chocolate twists, to Pic's Peanut Butter factory during the 2020 campaign. Ardern is also something of a walking advertisement for a range of New Zealand designers, wearing clothes gifted and loaned to her by designers including Juliette Hogan and Emilia Wickstead.

Davidson last night edited a social media post featuring te reo Māori branded Whittaker's chocolate after the PM sent it to the Cabinet Office to decide if it breached a rule that ministers should not promote products or services on any form of media.

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A post shared by Marama Davidson (@maramadavidson)

Davidson revised her post to remove the words "like Whittaker's" but kept the photo of herself holding several bars of the chocolate. She has said the post was aimed at welcoming companies that embraced te reo Māori and responding to a backlash against Whittaker's over the issue.

A spokesman for the Green Party said the edits followed a conversation with the Cabinet Office about the rules.

Ardern has also said she would remind all ministers about the rule.

Today she said she had not drawn any conclusions about Davidson's case but said it should be left to the Cabinet Office to decide if it was in breach of the rules. "I haven't even spoken to Marama about the issue. I left it to them to give some advice, they've done that. As far as I am concerned that is sufficient."

She ended her standup before questions about other ministers could be asked.

Although the Cabinet Office advise on the application of the rules in the Cabinet Manual, it is ultimately for Ardern to decide whether to act on any breach.

The Cabinet Manual stipulates ministers should not endorse products or services but could appear in advertisements or announcements which were "in the public interest" and for which no payment was received. The example given was water safety.

The post has resulted in questions on just how strictly the rule should apply - and what amounts to an "endorsement".

The same rules do not apply to MPs who are not ministers - and electorate MPs often promote businesses and products from their areas – but it is a trickier boundary for ministers who have electorates.

Nash's instagram includes a post from February on his habit of starting his day with a warm lemon juice: "For good health I always start the day with a glass of warm lemon juice from the Limery. An awesome Wairoa company doing awesome things with limes and lemons."

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A post shared by Stuart Nash MP (@stuart_nashmp)

Nash said his post on The Limery related to a company that was both in his Napier electorate and which the Provincial Growth Fund had invested in.

He said he had visited The Limery many times in his capacity as the MP for Napier, and "occasionally" in his capacity as Minister for Regional Development.

He said he often posted on businesses that the Government had given grants to as a minister.

"I'm promoting the work the Government is doing across the regions to help businesses reach their potential. It is talking about a government programme and the people we are partnering with. I see a big difference between that and perhaps another example that may come to mind."

Nash also has a post featuring a visit to Sustainable Foods in Kapiti as Regional Development Minister, including himself holding their products.

"Sustainable Foods Ltd, based in Kapiti, makes plant-based protein products that taste absolutely fantastic. I know I know, but seriously, these are good - for the planet, on the pocket and the palate! And we (govt) helped them out because we back businesses in the regions 100%."

Nash's Instagram also includes a post in June with a photo of Craggy Range wine, in which he talks about a bet with a friend on the rugby in which the wine is the stake. The post also refers to Nash's old bet with Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking about the vaccination rate, in which Nash had chosen Craggy Range for the case of wine.

Nash said he had not yet received his case of Craggy Range from Mike Hosking. "I would have absolutely delivered by the end of the week if I'd lost it, but I won it and I still haven't seen a box of Craggy Range from Mike. "

Megan Woods has posted her appreciation and photos of a cafe in her electorate and a shoe repair shop – as well as a photo of Red Zone honey from the markets.

Kiri Allan's posts sometimes feature kai from hunting, and have included mentions of products such as the Lowe Street Butcher rubs.