3177 (2024). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Prime Minister

3177 (2024). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement regarding comments made by Hon. David Seymour on TVNZ journalists “Look, I think, you know, the reality is, you know, that, to me, didn't meet the criteria of of what you'd expect from a broadcasting minister, or, in this case, a minister of the Crown”, and if so, what actions, if any, does he intend to take?

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon: The intention of this statement was to convey that David Seymour has not reached the criteria to be considered a breach of his obligations as a shareholding minister in TVNZ to not give instruction. This was not expressed well in this particular statement, but later in the same press conference I stated “But with respect to being the shareholding Minister, what I’d say to you is I don’t think he's actually contravened that at this point.”, which more clearly expresses the point I was trying to make in the statement you refer to.