Deputy prime minister Grant Robertson’s called it “cynical” and “disrespectful” for National to have released the outcome of the Sam Uffindell report on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

Earlier today, it was confirmed Uffindell, the Tauranga MP, would remain in parliament after an investigation cleared his name. He had faced allegations of bullying during his time at Otago University, though these could not be substantiated during the report period.

Robertson, fronting a post-cabinet press conference, said he had “been around long enough” to see “people decide to put things out on particular days”. However, he said National was responsible for defending the approach the party took.”But in any workplace we should be upholding the highest possible standards,” Robertson said of the bullying claims.

Asked whether National’s law and order views were in line with the handling of the Uffindell saga, Robertson said it was important for parties to be “consistent” on matters of public policy.

New Zealand’s state memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II will be held at 2pm next Monday, September 26.

The one-hour service, taking place on the same day as the newly confirmed public holiday to mark the Queen’s passing, will begin with a national minute of silence.

In a statement, prime minister Jacinda Ardern said having a minute’s silence was a good way for people to “stand together” in celebration of the Queen’s 70-years of service.

The state memorial service will be broadcast and livestreamed, confirmed Ardern. “Parliament grounds in Wellington will also have two large screens, so people can come together there to watch the service and also have the opportunity to sign the books of condolence that remain available,” she said.

“As New Zealand’s Queen, it is fitting that invited guests at the service in Wellington will include representatives from a broad range of New Zealand communities and from organisations with particular links with the Queen.”

For those outside Wellington, other memorial events will be held in Christchurch and Auckland, confirmed Ardern.

Sam Uffindell will remain a National Party MP after a month-long investigation failed to substantiate bullying claims raised about his time as a student at Otago University.

National Party president Sylvia Wood, speaking at parliament, said the report carried out by Maria Dew KC did not find any additional incidents of bullying outside of those verified from Uffindell’s time at King’s College. There were “differing accounts” of the bullying claims raised about Uffindell’s time at university, which hinged on allegations Uffindell had verbally and drunkenly harassed a female flat mate.

The final report was received on Thursday night, said Wood, after investigations took place between August 15 and September 15. During that time, 14 people were interviewed and a number of written statements were provided.

The first objective in asking for an independent investigation was to try and establish “a conclusion about what had occurred”, said Wood, while the second objective was to “establish a safe pathway for people to come forward if they had other allegations”.

Aside from his time at King’s College, and interactions with his flatmate at university, no one else came forward who considered themselves a victim of Mr Uffindell’s behaviour. Dew concluded the Otago University event was not as it was described in the media. Despite this conclusion, National Party leader said “it is clear that the complainant’s experience in a deteriorating flat relationship caused her harm.”

On what had occurred at Otago University roughly two decades ago, Luxon said Uffindell had “acknowledged that things were said that he now realises his flatmate overheard, which he regrets”.

He added: “Mr Uffindell has also publicly acknowledged that he was a bully at King’s College and that this behaviour harmed a number of people, for which he has apologised.”

Joining Luxon and Wood at parliament was Uffindell himself who said he was “genuinely shocked” by his former flatmate’s allegations. He now intended to “work hard and deliver for the great people of Tauranga”.

He called the past six weeks “difficult” and said he had both continued some of his local constituency work while cooperating with Dew’s investigations.

On the photograph of him holding a National Party rosette taken over the weekend, Uffindell admitted this was “silly” and said he probably should not have done it before the investigation had been revealed.

Asked about choosing to release the outcome on the day of the Queen’s funeral, Luxon said he had found the “right balance” in releasing it just a few days after the investigation had been completed.

National leader Christopher Luxon is set to reveal whether or not Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell will return to the party’s caucus following a five-week long investigation. Stay tuned for the outcome.

You can tune into Luxon’s press conference below, thanks to Stuff.

Our image of the day comes from last night’s BNZ art auction.

Last night, part one of the huge BNZ art collection went up for auction, breaking all kinds of records for New Zealand art sales, including a whooping $2.45 million for a Colin McCahon. We’re in love with this beautiful Robin White painting ‘Glenda at Tahakopa’ that was purchased by Te Papa for just over 400K. “Crisp deep colours, and that strong strong sense of connection between people and place that Robin just captured in a way that has really spoken to New Zealanders,” said Te Papa chief executive Courtney Johnston on RNZ this morning.

There’s been a little bit of controversy about privately selling a collection that was put together when BNZ itself was publicly owned, so we’re stoked that this stunner is back in public hands where it’ll be able to be seen and enjoyed by the people for generations to come.

Thank you to all our members who came along to our Wellington mayoral debate last week. If you’re not a Spinoff member, join today to gain access to exclusive events like this along with a world version of The Bulletin written by Peter Bale, reduced advertising and more.

There is no minimum to donate and every contribution exclusively funds our journalism and keeps The Spinoff free for all.

The Ministry of Health’s first weekly Covid-19 update has been released today. It takes into account the period from September 12 to 19, which presumably means it includes two days that were reported during the old daily updates system (which stopped on Tuesday September 13).

Here are the numbers:

• There have been 9,606 new community Covid-19 cases reported over the past week.
• On average, about 1,369 cases have been reported each day.
• As of midnight, 175 people were in hospital with Covid-19 and two remained in intensive care.
• The Covid-19 death toll has risen to 1,972. About three Covid-attributed deaths were reported each day. Overall, 74 deaths were added to the death toll over the past week (including 15 not linked to the virus and 37 that cannot yet be linked).

Read more from the ministry here.

National’s leader Christopher Luxon will front to the media on whether or not Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell will remain in parliament. It’s expected Luxon will speak at about 2pm from parliament.

It’s been over a month since Uffindell was expelled from National’s caucus following two reports of historic bullying levelled at the MP. While he admitted to being a bully while at high school, he rejected reports he had harassed a former Otago University flat mate.

The report, conducted by Maria Dew KC, was expected to be completed just two weeks after Uffindell was stood down. That time later ballooned and just last week Luxon told media he did not know when it would be finalised.

We’ll have rolling coverage at 2pm.

Workers at the Essity paper mill in Kawerau have returned to the job, after a month-long lockout ended in a pay rise.

Disagreements between the mill’s operator and the Pulp and Paper Workers Union resulted in 145 workers being forced out of work between mid-August and today. During that time, Essity threatened legal action against staff.

However, last Wednesday, a deal was struck thtat would keep workers’ incomes ahead of forecast inflation through until 2024. The threat of legal action was also dropped.

1News broadcaster John Campbell was on the ground in Kawerau today speaking to workers as they headed back into the mill. “It’s been a bit of a struggle, but sometimes you’ve got to draw a line in the sand and say ‘no more’ and that’s what we did,” one worker told him.

Yesterday, a work from the BNZ art collection, Colin McCahon’s 1982 painting Is There Anything of Which One Can Say, Look, This Is New? broke the record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction in New Zealand, selling for $2.45m. The entire collection is going to auction and as the Herald’s Jane Phare reported (paywalled) on Saturday, there are questions being raised about whether it should be being sold in this way in the first place. The collection was purchased when the bank was state-owned and is a culturally significant collection, curated by the late Peter McLeavey.

We don’t have incentives for cultural gifting in New Zealand, which in countries like Australia and the UK provide tax deductions if a work is gifted to museums or galleries. Proceeds from the sale of the collection will be used to establish the BNZ Foundation.

Want to read The Bulletin in full? Click here to subscribe and join over 36,000 New Zealanders who start each weekday with the biggest stories in politics, business, media and culture.  

National MP Sam Uffindell’s future in parliament will be revealed today, after an investigation into his previous conduct was completed before the weekend.

Leader Christopher Luxon ordered the report, by Maria Dew KC, following reports into Uffindell’s behaviour while at high school and university. He admitted to being a “bully” during his tenure at King’s College, but refuted subsequent claims that he had harassed a flat mate at Otago University.

Since August 9, Uffindell, who is the MP for Tauranga, has not attended caucus. However, a photo shared to social media over the weekend showed that he attended the Tauranga Woman’s Expo, holding a National Party rosette.

We’ll have the details of the National report when it’s made public.

Jacinda Ardern is due to join hundreds of world leaders and VIPs at what’s been dubbed the “reception of the century”.

Hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, those in attendance include US president Joe Biden, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito.

It’s being held on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in the UK, which will begin at about 10pm tonight New Zealand time (livestreams will be available practically everywhere for those wishing to tune in). It’s predicted the Queen’s funeral will become the most watched global event in history, with more than four billion people expected to tune in.

During her meeting with the King yesterday, Ardern passed on condolences on behalf of New Zealand.

Earlier today, Ardern appeared on the BBC Sunday programme where she reiterated her belief that New Zealand will become a republic within her lifetime.

“Even the Queen herself has observed and acknowledged the evolution over time in our relationships,” she said.

“So my observation is that there will continue to be an evolution in our relationship. I don’t believe that it will be quick or soon, but over the course of my lifetime.”

Ardern also reflected on a conversation she had with the Queen while pregnant. “I said to her, ‘How did you manage?’, and I remember she just said, ‘Well, you just get on with it’. And that was actually probably the best and most factual advice I could have.”