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He said the details of the incident had been leaked to the media and were to be released on Tuesday, and he thought it was inappropriate for employment matters to be litigated in such a way. “I was advised on Friday that the inquiry and its details have been leaked to the media for release tomorrow. It is inappropriate for employment disputes to be litigated in public,” Smith said. “I will put on the record that I regret the incident, I apologised at the time and I apologise again today. I have decided the best course of action for the parties involved, the National Party, my family and myself is to retire now.” ....
It came after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was photographed embracing the Australian Prime Minister with a hongi - the traditional Māori greeting performed by two people pressing their noses together - upon his arrival in Queenstown on Sunday. It s clear by the response in the comment section of the tweet that many interpreted it as Collins endorsing a view that likened hongi to a head-butt. How disgusting to respond in agreement to that racist comment while Māori are currently, once again, opening the marae to people stranded by floods. This is indeed disrespectful and vile, one person wrote. ....
The Nelson politican is keeping quiet since announcing his retirement amid an inquiry into an office 'altercation' but others have acknowledged his contribution. ....
Henry Cooke and Thomas Coughlan17:44, Jun 01 2021 CHECKPOINT/RNZ National Party MP Nick Smith is retiring next month, after 30 years in Parliament. The complaint that eventually led to long-serving National MP Nick Smith’s resignation was not made by the staffer he was in a “verbal altercation” with. Instead, Stuff understands, the altercation was overheard by another National Party staffer who recorded the incident and made a complaint. Stuff understands one of the reasons the inquiry is delayed is that Smith is seeking to obtain a copy of the audio file, citing natural justice concerns. He was made aware of the recording in April, and alleges that it was made available to the inquiry as early as September the previous year. The altercation occurred last July. ....