The prime minister has labelled comments made by one of his ministers over the weekend as inappropriate, and revealed his office asked her to walk them back.
Marama Davidson, co-leader of the Green Party and a minister, was captured on video ahead of a rally against anti-trans speaker Posie Parker saying “white cis men” were responsible for “violence in the world”.
A statement from Davidson was released earlier this afternoon in which she stated that the comments were made shortly after she had been struck by a motorcycle and she was in shock. Violence was unacceptable “in any community”, added Davidson in her updated remarks.
Speaking at a post-cabinet press conference this afternoon, PM Chris Hipkins said he accepted the context in which the comments were made was unpleasant for his minister and some leeway was acceptable. “[Davidson] had just been hit by a motorcycle [and] was being harassed by a right wing conspiracy group,” he said. “I don’t expect perfection from people and particularly not when they’ve just experienced a trauma like that.”
However, he added that the comments were inappropriate. “There have been conversations this morning with Marama and her office… I think it’s appropriate that she clarified the statement that she made.”
Bringing “race” into the issue of domestic violence was unhelpful, said Hipkins, and it was his expectation as prime minister that a minister should make their comments clear if they have been misinterpreted. “Through my office, [I] made it clear that it would be beneficial if [Davidson] was able to clarify what it was she was intending to say.”
On the events in Albert Park on Saturday morning, Hipkins said he did not believe the right to free speech extended to violence – and that included people throwing things. However, he said he did observe a “significant number” of New Zealanders exercising free speech.
Labour ministers had not been ordered to stay away from the counter-protests over the weekend, said Hipkins. He did not know if any chose to attend.