Sidelined Minister Meka Whaitiri has appeared at Parliament for the first time since coming under investigation over a staffing matter.
Meka Whaitiri (centre). Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Ms Whaitiri has been working from her Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate since she was stood aside as Customs Minister last week.
She said she returned to celebrate a Treaty Settlement bill which is due to pass this afternoon, but would not answer questions about the inquiry.
"I'm co-operating with the investigation and I've got no further comment. Today is about Te Wairoa and I'm here as a local MP, proud to be the local MP for this historic settlement."
The Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP is being investigated by Ministerial Services over what has been described as a "staffing matter".
She is accused of "manhandling" her newly employed press secretary while in Gisborne last Monday.
