PM Chris Hipkins and MP Megan Woods answered questions about the resignation of Kiri Allan and the Labour Party's election campaign.
Video / Mark Mitchell
Kiri Allan crashed directly outside the home of a senior Ministry of Justice official on Sunday night.
The Labour MP has been charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer following a crash on Evans Bay Parade in Roseneath shortly after9pm. She will appear in court at a later date.
Allan has lost her ministerial portfolios, including her position as the Minister of Justice, and is now taking time to consider her future in politics.
The crash happened outside an address owned by the ministry advisor and her husband, property records show.
The Herald has been unable to contact anyone at the address for comment. The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.
However, it’s understood Allan and the official have never met and the location of the crash is a coincidence.
The black ute that had been damaged in the crash was no longer parked on the street this morning. It is not clear whether the ministry official and her family own the vehicle.
The ute had damage to a rear right panel and a flattened tyre.
Allan was also issued with an infringement notice as she had excess breath alcohol between 250 and 400 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per litre of breath.
Damage could be seen on a ute parked on Evans Bay Parade after the crash involving Kiri Allan. Photo / Nick James
In a social media post, Allan apologised to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and to her party members for her actions.
“To the Prime Minister - I have undermined you and the trust you placed in me to do an important job for New Zealand. I cannot express the remorse I feel. I am so, so sorry,” she wrote.
“Second, to my colleagues and party members. I can’t describe how full of anger towards myself for letting you all down.”
“Many people have placed their trust and confidence in me as a political leader. I have failed all those that put their trust and confidence in me. I have let my electorate down, my party down, and all those that relied on me.”
Hipkins has said he couldn’t provide details on where Allan was driving and why she had allegedly refused to accompany a police officer, except to say she was in a distressed state.
Allan had returned to her full ministerial duties on Monday last week after taking some time away from Parliament due in part to a relationship break-up.
She had been receiving counselling and professional support when she returned to work, Hipkins said.
“Ultimately, mental health is incredibly challenging.”
He referenced how she was “at the top of her game” at Parliament last week. However, he said things could flip without warning when mental health was involved.
