Panoho fallout haunts Government

By AUDREY YOUNG

Cabinet Ministers Trevor Mallard and John Tamihere are expected to face further political pressure next week as controversy over the resignation of Maori Party activist Amokura Panoho from the Department of Labour refuses to go away.

Their comments about Ms Panoho - even after she resigned - may have exposed the Crown or the ministers to a potential lawsuit.

Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen criticised the pair yesterday and is expected to raise the matter at next week's Cabinet meeting.

National's state services spokesman, Murray McCully, said his party would pursue the issue vigorously.

Ms Panoho resigned on Friday last week as northern regional director of the community employment group after a complaint to the department by the responsible minister, Ruth Dyson, about a possible conflict of interest between her job and her political activity. Mr Tamihere laid the initial complaint with Ms Dyson.

Mr Mallard and Mr Tamihere separately aired allegations about Ms Panoho. Both have withdrawn them and Mr Tamihere has apologised.

Mr Mallard had suggested that Ms Panoho might have pressured others to join the Maori Party. Mr Tamihere suggested she might have used department resources to organise a Maori Party hui.

Dr Cullen said of the ministers: "It would have been best if they had not been involved in the manner that they were involved. It also raised a perception that there was some attempt to interfere with freedom of expression."

Council of Trade Unions head Ross Wilson issued a statement critical of Mr Tamihere - no friend of the unions - saying he had appeared to disregard New Zealanders' entitlement to exercise democratic and civil rights and to fairness in employment processes.

Asked if he was also concerned about the more union-friendly Mr Mallard, he said yes.

"It was inappropriate for him to speak publicly about what were essentially issues between Amokura's legal employer and her. He's the minister."

But he felt the tone of Mr Tamihere's comments was more "threatening".

He added: "How can state employees feel comfortable exercising their political rights and employment rights if they are going to be stood over in this way through the media by ministers of the Crown?"

State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble would not comment.

Publicity over Maori Party activism was preceded by revelations that Maori Language Commission chief executive Haami Piripi had sent a highly critical submission to the select committee considering the Foreshore and Seabed Bill.

HOW THE WEEK UNFOLDED

Haami Piripi: Maori Language Commission chief executive

* It is revealed that he made a written submission to a select committee opposing the Foreshore and Seabed Bill and warning of civil war.

* Commission chairman Patu Hohepa called in to see Minister Parekura Horomia. Mr Hohepa defends Mr Piripi's right to speak as a private citizen.

* Mr Piripi censured by commission.

Amokura Panoho: Maori Party member and former community employment group regional director

* It is revealed that she resigned from management job in Labour Department after discussing with seniors a complaint by Ruth Dyson about possible conflict between her job and political activities.

* Ministers John Tamihere and Trevor Mallard separately allege she may have been pressing others to join the party or using departmental resources to organise the party.

* The ministers retract their comments and Mr Tamihere apologises.