Conservatives still backing Rankin in role

Paula Bennett says claims that Christine Rankin is a mentor are rubbish. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Two conservative organisations, the Kiwi Party and Family First, are still strongly supporting the appointment of Christine Rankin to the Families Commission despite aspects of her private life being aired.

Both organisations issued statements of support for Ms Rankin last week after her appointment was announced but before Sunday newspapers aired details about her fourth marriage, to Kim MacIntyre.

Ms Rankin went on television to deny she had been having an affair with Mr MacIntyre while he was still married to Wellington real estate agent Margo McAuley, who took her own life last year.

The Kiwi Party and Family First yesterday stood by Ms Rankin's appointment.

Kiwi Party leader and former United Future MP Larry Baldock said the situation regarding her husband's former wife was "too personal to delve into".

He thought Ms Rankin would still be a good advocate because she represented the views of about 80 per cent of New Zealanders who opposed the anti-smacking law.

"I think she still represents many people's view on the outrage that people feel - that nothing serious is being done about child abuse."

He said his opinion could change if other facts emerged, because he could not blindly support someone, "but I don't see why she should be stepping down from the appointment based on what has come to light so far".

The Families Commission unanimously supports the law.

The national director of Families First, Bob McCoskrie, said he still saw Ms Rankin as a very positive appointment.

"We are just sorry that the public trial has happened on her personal life."

Ms Rankin was the first to admit that she had not got family life perfect.

"But if the definition of being a Families Commissioner is a perfect family life then you are not going to find any commissioners.

"We need somebody who is willing to rock the boat, who is willing to bring in a diversity of opinion and who has got the backbone to actually speak up on those issues."

The North Shore-based Poverty Action Coalition yesterday said it opposed Ms Rankin's appointment.

FRIENDSHIP CLAIMS RUBBISHED

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has rubbished claims that Christine Rankin was a friend and mentor who helped her in last year's election and in adjusting to her new role as a minister.

Paula Bennett was the minister responsible for Ms Rankin's appointment last week to the Families Commission.

Ms Rankin is a former chief executive of Work and Income, which became the Ministry of Social Development, and in recent years has become politically active in National.

But Paula Bennett said the report in yesterday's Herald claiming they were close and that she had been helped by Ms Rankin were "rubbish".

Mark Bickell, Paula Bennett's campaign manager in Waitakere where she won the seat from Labour's Lynne Pillay, said Ms Rankin "had nothing to do with our campaign".

Ms Rankin was not available for comment yesterday.