10465 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Police

10465 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Police: Has the Minister received any advice on the adequacy of police resourcing for the investigation into electoral fraud in the Papatoetoe subdivision of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board election?

Hon Mark Mitchell: My office has received correspondences on the matter and passed them on to Police, as is the usual process. I am comfortable that Police have the capability and resources to investigate independently. Section 16 of the Policing Act 2008 is very explicit in stating that Ministers cannot become involved in operational Police matters. The investigation and prosecution of offences are the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police. The Serious Fraud Office has independence from the Minister in matters relating to operational investigations – including decisions to commence or close an investigation, taking a prosecution, or the general management and prioritisation of cases. It would be inappropriate for a Minister to intervene in any investigation process.