Podcasts about uffindell

I had no desire to watch that debate last night.   What was the point? I'd interviewed both leaders within the past week. I'd had the ability, as had you, to hear their vision for the country over an hour (commercial hour of course, I know you grumble about the ads). What they thought they could do right, what they thought the others were doing wrong. Rather than spend an hour watching two tired men snipe away at each other, I would much rather have spent it with my family, reading books, playing board games, having great chat with a six-year-old and a four-year-old instead of hearing recycled tropes from both sides.   But the boss had a face like a twisted sneaker when I told him I'd nearly missed the last debate due to technical difficulties, so as a dutiful employee I sat and watched terrestrial TV and it was every bit as awful as I thought it would be.   When you look at Chris Hipkins' boyish face you forget that he can be a nasty piece of work. He's had to be. He was doing a lot of Jacinda Ardern's dirty work during the Covid response. The hard jobs, making decisions that had the most terrible implications for so many families. Dishing dirt on a journalist who was locked out of the country pregnant. He got shirty with her so out came the information that really he shouldn't have been leaking. He's not the sweet, wee boy from the Hutt who's found himself an accidental Prime Minister.   But you forget that until the comment last night. That comment about a National backbencher in the bed leg, I thought, was unforgivable. Christopher Luxon quite rightly pointed out Hipkins had lost five ministers, when Hipkins doubted Luxon's ability to control a coalition government.  He said you won't be able to manage ACT and NZ First.  Luxon said will you lost five ministers from your own Government, you can't even look after your own party. Hipkins snapped back that at least none of my MP's beat people up with a bed leg, referring to Sam Uffindell's confession of being a bully at high school.   For the record, Uffindell says he doesn't remember ever bullying with a bed leg, but nonetheless. I know we can all say stupid things under pressure. I say them regularly. We can all say cruel things when trying to score points. I've done it and in one case I hurt a former friend badly, as a result, I've never taken part in a debate since. I think Hipkins should apologise. It was dirty, dirty pool and it reflected on him badly.  Christopher Luxon looked exhausted and a bit shell shocked at the level of hectoring coming his way. I also found it really interesting reading the blow-by-blow accounts of the debate on both Stuff and the Herald - they were supposed to report in real time what the leaders were saying. Only the Herald bothered to report the response from a woman invited to ask a question of the leaders.   Agnes Magele, from Auckland Action Against Poverty, wanted to know what both parties would do to protect and support beneficiaries. When Hipkins tried to say that Labour was the friend of the beneficiaries and had lifted children out of poverty, Agnes Magele interjected from the audience and said sorry, but in saying that Mr Prime Minister, Labour hasn't done anything to eliminate it at all.   The New Zealand Herald saw fit to report that, and I think it was a valid point coming from someone who would know. Stuff chose not to.  What, they didn't hear it? Selective reporting? What? What is the point of these debates other than looking for cheap headlines? Thank God I don't have to watch another one for the next three years, and even then, I wonder if they're not past their use by date. They're not debates. We don't hear the core points about policy.   It's the Colosseum all over again with a couple of exhausted lions, snarling and tearing at each other and trying to draw blood.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party MP Sam Uffindel recently revealed he does the shopping, once a month, in order to "give his wife a break." In June, the Tauranga politician explained to Parliament that his monthly excursion involves donning his National party jacket, grabbing a list off his wife and heading to the supermarket. As well as taking a load off his partner, Mr Uffindell said this gives him some good publicity looking like an everyday man doing the chores. Video of the speech has attracted ridicule online for its assumptions about gender roles in the home. But how many New Zealand couples do actually still stick those assumptions about men and women's work? Reporter Louise Ternouth and Camera Operator Marika Khabazi went to the supermarket to find out. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6332769627112

MPs Chris Hipkins and Mark Mitchell wrap the week's political news. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luxon says Uffindell is vindicated & we should just trust him. The Herald's Mood of the Boardroom is... grumpy, greedy & antidemocratic. Jacinda Ardern spoke at the United Nations about Russia, Ukraine, disinformation and climate change. We also discuss international institutions, propaganda and neocolonialism. With Branko, Josephine and Philip.Start - Uffindell8.40 - Mood of the Boardroom27.00 - Ardern at the UNhttps://www.patreon.com/1of200

This week our thoughts on National Leader Christopher Luxon summarising the Uffindell report but not letting anyone see it; the impact of prison officer shortages, and it's girls against boys in the office while reflecting on the pomp and passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to National leader Christopher Luxon. They discussed the safety of politicians off the back of Grant Robertson's concerns whilst visiting Northland recently. They also talked about the report into Sam Uffindell and if it should be released publicly, and how did Luxon react to the Christchurch City Council pushback on housing intensification? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is going with the ''trust me'' approach when it comes to the Uffindell report. He had already said he wasn't going to release it to the public but he also won't release it to National Party MP's because he says "they trust me to represent the findings". National Party leader Christopher Luxon joins me now. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brand new National MP Sam Uffindell has been exonerated by the long overdue report into the allegations of bullying against him.  The investigation found allegations against Uffindell about his behaviour as a university student towards a female flatmate in Dunedin were not as reported in the media, that there were differing accounts, and the allegations could not be substantiated.  Former Beehive staffer and political pundit extraordinaire Ben Thomas joins to discuss the latest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National MP Sam Uffindell's former flatmate and her father would be happy for the party to publicly release a redacted copy of its bullying investigation. The Tauranga MP was reinstated to caucus following Maria Dew's inquiry into allegations he behaved aggressively, forcing her to flee the flat. National says the report found Sam Uffindell did not engage in the behaviour his former flatmate detailed on RNZ last month - which prompted the inquiry. That includes dismissing her claims he bashed on her door yelling obscenities. But she and her father stand firmly by her account about what happened at the flat, and are deeply unhappy Mr Uffindell's word was taken over hers. The National Party's leader, Christopher Luxon, spoke to Susie Fergusson.

I'm not sure what was more interesting yesterday – the revelation that the Sam Uffindell allegations amounted to nothing and didn't stack up, or the pasting Luxon got by the press gallery afterwards. The press gallery by the end of it had delivered what should serve as a warning to Luxon as to how election year might go for him. The press pack were not really having a bar of Luxon, or the report, or Uffindell, or the National Party. They were looking for a conspiracy, they demanded to know why the report would not be released, despite Luxon spelling out at the very beginning that the report was confidential to protect complainants and those interviewed, therefore it would not be released. Reporters went ahead anyway; demanding to know how many flat mates were interviewed, when, where, who.. all of which Luxon kept explaining he could not go into detail on, or even knew, given the report was conducted independently by Maria Dew KC. But the barrage of questions continued. Look, it was refreshing to see the press gallery spring to life and give a good verbal battering, but no surprises it took a National party leader to illicit that response. You could forgive Luxon for looking bewildered at times, none more acutely than when a reporter started demanding he explain why he would allow Uffindell his job back, when that amounted to one law for Māori and one law for National. She said that Māori don't get afforded the same privilege of second chances, yet National was happy to give Uffindell a second chance, but the party, she said, took such a strong stance on crime and law and order, therefore it was a double standard.  Luxon pointed out she was conflating two issues, and that as a party they could be strong on law and order, while at the same time also allowing back into Caucus a man exonerated by an independent report who had committed no crime. The reporter may have had a point if Uffindell had not been exonerated, but she seemed to think this showed racism or a double standard. After Luxon explained again she was conflating two issues, she interrupted and insisted he answer the question as to why there's one law for Māori and one law for National. At this point I personally would have given up on the press conference, but Luxon reiterated again, that she was conflating two issues. He looked as confused as the next person. So what did we end up with yesterday? Exoneration for a man accused and vilified; one, shows us how easy it is to get cancelled these days by a media mauling over and above a fair trial, and two, how if said media don't like the outcome, you will get mauled all over again anyway. It was also a salient lesson for Chris Luxon on how to handle press conferences. Not all questions are good ones, not all questions are worth answering, sometimes reigning in a room of shouty exercised journalists is a good idea. Jacinda Ardern can do this largely I guess due to more experience, but also, she knows how to work it. She works the room in her favour, she knows when to close a conference, she knows when to deflect. She doesn't allow reporters to cut her off mid-sentence, like they did with Luxon. Naivety and politeness from the Nats leader may hold him back. It's a brawl out there, yesterday exemplified just how rocky it can and will get. So before the next round, Luxon would be well served to (a) have his wits about him and expect it, and (b) harden up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party MP Sam Uffindell is back in caucus after an investigation did not substantiate allegations of aggressive behaviour against a young woman. The woman, who was his flatmate while at Otago University, said she escaped through her bedroom window, because she feared for her safety. But the report by KC, Maria Dew, found there are differing accounts of what occured, and the event was not as it was described in the media. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson joins Lisa Owen to discuss the details of the saga.  

So as predicted in the battle of wayward MPs, as far as Sam Uffindell is concerned, there is nothing to see here. As regards Gaurav Sharma v Sam Uffindell, National beats Labour. Labour dragged it out and had secret meetings that they pretended didn't happen until they did, and then pretended they weren't secret at all. They eventually sent him to the world of independence where he currently sits, so far, with no more smoking guns or firepower by way of allegations. Meantime, National hired a lawyer and got it out of the news on day one. How a lawyer was ever going to go back to flatting days at university and piece together anything that stood up in 2022 was beyond me, and so it has proved to be. We have differing stories and clearly a lot of heat and hate, but ultimately nothing concrete. The media that drove this breathlessly might want to think about their enthusiasm on matters like this when all they have is one person's word. The more substantive bit, the King's College activity at age 16 was already canvassed, admitted to, and apologised for.  So little, if anything, was ever going to eventuate. And so, that's that. Uffindell is back, both scandals are behind us, and the lessons learned I think are as follows: Uffindell is blameless to the extent of the King's stuff he told the party about. The party, due to ineptness, never quite got around to telling Chris Luxon. That's on the party, not Luxon or Uffindell. The other story was circumstantial, to say the least. And if I have a criticism, it's of Luxon who ran the line about having a daughter at university. I have a daughter at university, but I would have needed more than he had to hire lawyers. He was a little bit between a rock and a hard place by doing what he did. He silenced everyone successfully, but if we go round standing people down and hiring KCs at the drop of an allegation, that's why lawyers get rich. I would have taken Uffindell's word. And the complainant, who hadn't been heard from for well over two decades would needed to have stumped up a bit more than they did, which was little more than ringing a radio station. The big lesson, of course, is who can be bothered with crap like this? At 16 a lot of us did dumb things. Most grow up, move on, and want to be better people. If we want quality in public service, we might want to stop looking to execute them at the drop of a hat or the hint of a scandal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's decision on Sam Uffindell could provide a window into their future policy. The Tauranga MP's been reinstated to the party's caucus after an independent investigation found bullying claims didn't extend beyond high school. Political commentator, Grant Duncan, told Kate Hawkesby National has shown they do believe in rehabilitation and giving a person a second chance. He told Kate Hawkesby he wonders whether that will be reflected in the party's future law and order policy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the recent polls with the National Party leader and ask him if he thinks $16 million was wasted on Three Waters consultations. We also get the latest on the Uffindell report and discuss Queen Elizabeth II's legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly elected Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell came under scrutiny last month after Stuff revealed he had been involved in a serious assault on a 13-year-old boy when he was a student at King's College. Later, his female flatmate from when he was attending Otago University came forward with allegations of threatening and abusive behaviour. Uffindell was suspended from caucus while an independent inquiry by Maria Dew KC took place. On Monday, National announced the findings of the investigation: aside from the King's College incident, the other bullying allegations were unsubstantiated. For her analysis on the affair and how it was handled by National, Christina spoke to political commentator Dr Lara Greaves.

Newly elected Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell came under scrutiny last month after Stuff revealed he had been involved in a serious assault on a 13-year-old boy when he was a student at King's College. Later, his female flatmate from when he was attending Otago University came forward with allegations of threatening and abusive behaviour. Uffindell was suspended from caucus while an independent inquiry by Maria Dew KC took place. On Monday, National announced the findings of the investigation: aside from the King's College incident, the other bullying allegations were unsubstantiated. For her analysis on the affair and how it was handled by National, Christina spoke to political commentator Dr Lara Greaves.

NZ Herald Political Reporter Adam Pearse joined the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin to discuss the Maria Dew QC review into Sam Uffindell, Gaurav Sharma's exile, and the protests that occured on Tuesday.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I only work at Newstalk ZB one day a week so I've been spared having to talk about the Guarav Sharma drama. Or as we now know the Sharma Drama. But my god it's still going.   Over the weekend he revealed that Kieran McAnulty called him a terrible MP and that was bullying. Knowing how fruity Kieran's language can be, I think Gourav got off lightly. There's a reason Kieran's a whip. He's good with the old don't argue. I've realised that the MP for Hamilton West really doesn't like being yelled at. Sharma's maiden speech in February 2021 alleges a paediatric surgeon bullied him while he was at university. It also contained many claims of bullying and racism while he was on the campaign trail. Sharma appears to feel he's been bullied his entire life. It was the Prime Minister's turn this morning and she once again ruled out an investigation saying that there needs to be a threshold to instigate these things. Otherwise any time anyone called anyone a bully or a racist we'd have investigation after investigation. We of course can't judge whether that threshold has been reached as all we have so far is the good Doctor's account because the PM is not open and transparent. Anyway, this "he said she said" thing is terribly frustrating and has kept the issue in the headlines for nearly 2 weeks now. So some say that the launching of an investigation would at least shelve the conversation. They point to National hiring a QC to investigate Sam Uffindell which has silenced the debate. That may be so but what will that investigation prove? Mr Uffindell has already admitted his misdemeanour. And secondly, Mr Luxon has already stated that the result of the investigation will not be publicly released. If there is an investigation but no public result has there really been a result at all? The debate may have been silenced but not the practices and attitude that sparked the whole thing in the first place. Just shows that National is just as good, possibly better, at hiding their dirty laundry as Labour. And that was the way I felt throughout the whole Sharma drama. None of it surprised me. Politicians have been playing games like this for years. National was perfectly capable of fudging Official Information requests. Labour appears to have lifted the bar to a new high or should that be low point. It's all brought our respect for politicians to such a depth. It's why we have such polarised debate now. It's why our debate has fallen to name calling with words like liars and corruption thrown around willy-nilly. And it makes me nostalgic for the days when the backbench would wage war on the front bench over policy issues and not office demeanour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've been watching with fascination as Dr Gaurav Sharma blows up his political career. I think it's fair to say that Sharma's career is pretty much over. He feels betrayed, disillusioned, and let down and it's probably fair to say his Labour caucus colleagues feel much the same. They see a politician gone rogue, airing dirty laundry in public, telling all the secrets. He sees a broken system that supports and protects bullies and the party, at the expense of the public. As former United Party leader Peter Dunne said this morning, there's probably a bit of truth in both positions. As he says, both the Uffindell and Sharma affairs show that there's fault on both sides when it comes to the selection and preparation of new MPs under Parliament. I was looking at the meet our new MP's video that was on the Labour Party website, these were the 23 new MPs that were elected in the landslide in 2020. They all came from careers of service or business or a lot of lawyers. Doctor Sharma was there looking newly minted and squeaky clean as all the others did. They all looked so excited about being there. They all looked like this was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. And they probably aren't prepared for the reality of Parliament. For the hierarchical nature of it, for the fact that there are staff there that have seen 1000 of you come and go, and they're not that terribly impressed by you. And when you go, there will be another one to take your place.   Probably a lot more could be done to prepare wannabe politicians for a life in the fish bowl that is Parliament. It is a very odd place. You know, having been around the periphery of Parliament for some years, it's like a vacuum. It sucks in you and you believe that everything that happens there is the only thing that matters. On balance, National, I think, has handled their scandal better than Labour has handled theirs. You do really have to wonder about the culture of the place.   There have been attempts to work out what needs to be fixed in Parliament. But when you have the biggest bully boy of all being rewarded with a sinecure in Dublin and when loyalty above all … above ability, above efficiency, above common decency is what matters the most within the Labour Party, you realise that it's going to take a seismic shift in attitude to bring about any change at all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know Jacinda Ardern likes to do a bit of DJing in her spare time, but yesterday, she was the one doing the dancing for a change. And it wasn't on the dancefloor - it was on the head of a pin. It was all to do with the announcement that the Labour Party caucus had voted unanimously to suspend MP Gaurav Sharma after he went rogue, slagging off his Labour colleagues in Facebook posts about the length of your average PhD thesis and in an article on nzherald.co.nz. So the Prime Minister came out at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon and announced that because of what Sharma had done, his caucus colleagues felt they couldn't trust him anymore and so they wanted him out. Suspending him from Caucus for the rest of the year. He's still a Labour MP - he's just not welcome at Caucus. That may change if he pulls his head in and the Prime Minister said yesterday there'd be a review of things on that front in December. She also said that if he keeps being a pain in the backside for the party (my words, not hers), if he keeps up with his antics, then the Party may look at further action. So that part of it is all understandable. But where it got weird, was the lengths Jacinda Ardern went to, to try and explain away the so-called “secret” caucus meeting that happened ahead of yesterday's “official” caucus meeting. Sharma himself found out about it when someone in the caucus apparently pressed a few wrong buttons on the laptop and mistakenly sent him a screenshot of caucus members having a chinwag online on Monday night. The way Jacinda Ardern explained it yesterday was that it wasn't an “official” caucus meeting because not every caucus member was invited. All but one were invited - Sharma was the one left off the invite list. The PM said yesterday that was because Labour MPs felt they couldn't trust Sharma and, therefore, couldn't speak freely and frankly if he was involved. But for Jacinda Ardern to say that it wasn't a caucus meeting because one of its MPs wasn't invited is like having a family gathering and not inviting one of the cousins, for example, because everyone's sick of hearing about their conspiracy theories - and then saying it's not actually a family gathering because one of the cuzzies wasn't invited. They're weasel words and I think that's being generous. And, for me, demonstrates why I think the National Party - so far, anyway - has done a much better job handling the Sam Uffindell issue, than Labour has done with the Gaurav Sharma issue. The first reason I would give for Labour not doing as well as National, is the fact that Jacinda Ardern knew about the Sharma thing way before he went rogue on social media and long before he wrote the opinion article for the New Zealand Herald last week. So that's a failure on her part. In contrast to National leader Christopher Luxon who, if we're to believe what we've been told, didn't know about the Uffindell thing until it was blowing up in the media. So Ardern had time to be better-prepared. Luxon didn't. But he still did a better job - in my view, anyway. Another reason why I think National's response last week was better than Labour's response this week, is the way Luxon handed the whole thing over to a QC for an independent inquiry. What Labour has done is keep it all in-house - within the caucus - and has effectively told everyone what to say and do and I think because of that, Uffindell is going to be treated a lot fairer than Sharma. The Labour Party has been judge and jury. The National Party has stayed right out of it, and is letting the independent inquiry currently being done by Maria Dew QC guide its thinking. Of course, that is a much fairer way of handling it than doing what Labour has done and let its MPs handle it from the get-go. Because, despite what the Prime Minister says, those Labour MPs won't be giving two hoots about natural justice - they're just brassed-off with Sharma and they want to make him pay for what he's done. And they're making him pay by suspending him from Caucus with the threat of further action if he doesn't pull his head in. Which is why, if we were dishing out a prize for the party that's handled issues with its MPs the best over the past couple of weeks, I'd give it to the National Party over the Labour Party.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John MacDonald spoke to National Party Leader Christopher Luxon regarding the current situation with Sharma and the Labour Party, and asked why the details of the report on Sam Uffindell will be kept private. They discussed National's Tax Policy poll results, published early this week, and should Labour and National form a grand coalition to control extremist parties entering Parliament?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John MacDonald spoke to National Party Leader Christopher Luxon regarding the current situation with Sharma and the Labour Party, and asked why the details of the report on Sam Uffindell will be kept private. They discussed National's Tax Policy poll results, published early this week, and should Labour and National form a grand coalition to control extremist parties entering Parliament?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis join Nick Mills each week for Politics Monday. This week they discuss Labour MP Gaurav Sharma alleging bullying is rampant throughout Parliament, Uffindell, the new 'build to rent' scheme, Stuart Nash's latest comments as the minister for tourism and the Government's plan to overhaul how reading and writing is taught.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast Political Reporter Katie Scotcher examines one of the fastest political downfalls in New Zealand's history.

Don't make me say it. Don't make me say it. A week is a long time in... I'll start with Gaurav Sharma. I don't think we know enough about what has been alleged to have certainty as who is the bully and who is being bullied, but I'm stunned this dispute has been allowed to fester to the point Sharma decided to speak out. Seeing a sitting Labour MP accuse the party-of-kindness of bullying is a remarkable turn. I was not surprised to read Gaurav Sharma's lengthy post on Facebook, last night. Even as the Prime Minister was addressing the issue, unnamed ‘Labour sources' were commenting to media and slagging him off. Such kindness! And despite the compassionate veneer, the Prime Minister's statement still carefully insinuated that everything Sharma was complaining about is actually his fault. Maybe it is! We don't know. And maybe she felt she simply had to defend her party. But I think a public comment that was truly dedicated to Sharma's wellbeing would not have included this line: "Starting out as a new MP can be challenging and one of the toughest parts is navigating the new environment but also the role you must play as an MP managing others.” See what I mean? Those words subtly insinuated that Sharma is the problem and that he's ill-equipped to be an MP. From his perspective, it was a provocative thing to say. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I wasn't at all surprised to see him react. Almost everything that can be said of the Sam Uffindell scandal has already been said. Obviously he was a lout and a bully as a teenager. He traumatised people. He benefitted from the comforts, trappings, and multiple opportunities afforded by money and privilege. Nonetheless, I don't think the best response is to mercilessly destroy his entire life. Christopher Luxon's handled it pretty well. We'll wait and see what the investigation from Maria Dew Q.C turns up. But for all the attention on what Uffindell did and didn't do, who in the party knew what and when they knew it, for how long someone deserves to be punished for their past mistakes, and whether his apology was cynical or genuine, I do think there is once central question in this whole fiasco that should be top of the list: Why was Sam Uffindell selected in the first place? It's no secret that Tauranga is a safe National seat. Theoretically, National could have put up a slab of butter in a trenchcoat and comfortably won the by-election. Jacinda Ardern didn't even bother turning up to campaign for Labour's candidate. National didn't need a talented campaigner. They could have picked anyone. They chose Sam Uffindell. Uffindell disclosed to them that he'd been expelled from high school and the reason why. It was inevitable his history would hit the news at some point. The panel knew that recent candidate selections had ended in disaster and there would be a especially keen focus on their choice for Tauranga. And yet, they still chose Sam Uffindell. When the news broke, I immediately pictured that photo of National's four Tauranga candidates, standing on the beach and grinning like a centre-right barbershop quartet. Why didn't National's selection panel just pick one of the other Sam Uffindells? Maybe bullying, assault, and an explusion is worthy of forgiveness. But why would the panel take the risk? What was it about Uffindell that was so special and so unique, that the upside of having him in caucus this term was greater than the downside of a potential scandal? Given National's long list of badly-behaved men, and given their policy positions on law and order and personal responsibility, I can't understand why the panel would pick any candidate that wasn't 100% sqeaky clean. The selection panel let down the party leaders. They let down the National caucus. You can argue they let down the victims of his bullying by putting them in a position where they felt compelled to speak out and re-live their experiences, and actually they let down Sam Uffindell himself. Regardless of whether he lasts – and I expect he will choose not to stand in next year's election – this will have been a hideous week for him, his family, and the people he bullied. And for what? National's new party President says the selection process requires confidentiality but that the process could clearly be improved. You don't say. But Uffindell's scandal wasn't just messy. It was unnecessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the biggest winner out of the Sam Uffindell drama the Government? Think of all the things they would have dreaded being talked about while we busied ourselves on the cock up that was essentially a two-fold mistake. Mistake one: the lack of up-front honesty in putting it out there from day one. Select him, I have no problem with it, what you did as a kid should not be a life sentence. But it was always going to get discovered Uffindell himself said so, so front foot it. Mistake two: the idiots in the selection process, including the Party President, should have told the right people. And the right people is not a flunky in the leaders office, it's the leader themselves. Those simple things would have avoided all this. This is a story of immaturity, hopefully left behind 20 years ago.   And yet by weeks end, it's exercised us all more than it ever should. And oh, the irony, in a week when the poll for TVNZ confirmed the other polls this year. National and ACT at 48 percent are the next government. Compare that to the Labour-Green combo at 42 percent, and the Prime Minister at record low personal popularity. The issue of Three Waters. The Auditor General's report was not really covered. The economy, the inflation, the debt, the local elections with no candidates, and the firearms laws that will change nothing. The Three Strikes abolition that further cements the Government's position as soft on crime. We can't forget the one or two shootings and ram raids rounding out another violent week. Plus, let us not forget the free passes on NCEA, because it's all been a bit tough. On Uffindell, don't get me wrong, I spent as much time on it as anyone else. For a while, it was a proper story needing proper answers. But, yet again, too much of the media got obsessed about it and let themselves down and displayed yet again their clear distaste for anything National Party. And they love anything that even begins to sniff of personal tragedy. It turned by yesterday with the flat nonsense into character assassination. The media might at some point like to look at itself and wonder why its reputation is the way it is. As for Uffindell, I don't like what I saw of him when he was a kid. But I don't condemn him forever. And I hate the way we look to destroy people who clearly have grown up and want to contribute to the betterment of the country. Ultimately then by Friday morning, a shabby week. And if the Government are the winners, we also have an awful lot of losers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show - we talk to Tova O'brien who is over in war torn Ukraine and has just spoken to the president of the Ukraine.  Thank fact it's Friday returns, with facts about Egyptian erections and shitty coffee. And National Party leader Chris Luxon joins us in studio talking Uffindell, his Rock 2000 picks and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Hooton and Shane Te Pou on Breakfast this morning covered off some really interesting points about the Uffindell debacle and questions around Chris Luxon's leadership After years...YEARS...of telling his supporters that it's damn near criminal to plead the fifth, Donald Trump has an opportunity to speak about his businesses and answers questions in a deposition in the NY AGs office and he...wait for it...pleads the 5th Everyone party in parliament currently is calling for and enquiry into the COVID economic response but it seems the Government is stalling and there are some accusations that Grant Robertson may be being a bit shifty with his personal instructions versus his ministerial ones

Newstalk ZB deputy political editor Jason Walls joins Nick Mills to discuss Sam Uffindell's scandalous week, the latest polls and the three strikes bill being repealed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Political reporter Andrea Vance told Rachel Smalley as long as it's an isolated, it shouldn't have any major impact on National in the upcoming election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fall out from the FBI raid of Donald Trump's Mar ra Lago home continued today with many GOP politicians and commentators calling the action "Gestapo' like and 'un-American'...lets investigate those claims We also find out today allegations of National MP Sam Uffindell continued to be a disgusting, self entitled, privileged dirt bag well beyond his previous mark of getting his life together at 16 with witnesses and corroborating testimony that he continued to be a bully and violent whilst at Otago University. Seem National was prepared to stand beside the violent 16 year old Uffindell, but not the 19 year old one as we all know 22 years means you can turn your life around...but 19 years ago you have to be thrown under the bus

Questions around why National's leader wasn't told about a young MPs patchy past. New National Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell's been stood down from the caucus after serious allegations of past violence and aggressive behaviour at high school and university. Tauranga's campaign chair, Todd McClay, informed staff in the run up to Uffindell's bid to be the next electorate MP but leader Chris Luxon was never told. Former MP Peter Dunne joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to discuss political scandals and why they seem to be attracting more attention these days.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus, pending an investigation into further "very concerning accusations" about his past behaviour. Party Leader Christopher Luxon says he's been made aware of new allegations about Uffindell's behaviour toward a female flatmate while Uffindell was at university in 2003. The woman has told RNZ Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window. Uffindell has denied any accusations he was involved in bullying or intimidatory behaviour while at university. The new allegations came after revelations the new Tauranga MP was involved in an attack on a younger boy while he was at boarding school. Political Editor Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis Allan to discuss Sam Uffindell's investigation and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we gave out medals for dealing with bullies, I think the National Party would win gold and the Labour Party would probably crash and burn in the semi-finals.     No, it wouldn't even get that far. It probably wouldn't even qualify.    Because what we've seen from Christopher Luxon in relation to the Sam Uffindell situation shows just how shameful Labour has been in failing to deal with one of its own MPs who - currently - is the most powerful person in Parliament.    Ever since news broke of Sam Uffindell's history of bullying when he was at boarding school and the developments overnight with a former flatmate from his university days saying he was a piece of work to live with, there's been a lot of “what about so-and-so” conversations on-air and online.    And that “so-and-so” that people have been talking about is Speaker and Labour MP Trevor Mallard.    In my honest opinion, the way Trevor Mallard has conducted himself - particularly in his role running Parliament (not just in the debating chamber but running the whole complex), he has shown himself to be nothing short of a bully.    There was all the stuff about the parliamentary staffer and, more recently, there were his utterly embarrassing antics during the anti-mandate protest outside Parliament with the loudspeakers and water sprinklers.     But what has Labour done about it? Absolutely nothing.    They're moving him on - just like King's College moved Sam Uffindell on after that vicious assault on the 3rd former in the dormitory back in 1999. And Mallard's off to Ireland where he will suddenly get all diplomatic on it.    But Labour's had numerous opportunities to call him out for being a bully but it has refused time and time again. As I say, its handling of Mallard has been shameful, particularly when you compare that to how National is dealing with the Uffindell situation.   Late last night, Christopher Luxon put out a statement saying the Tauranga MP was being stood-down from caucus because of what Luxon said were “very concerning” allegations and that an investigation would be done by Maria Dew QC.    I think Uffindell needs to resign as an MP full-stop. But that's completely up to him because, as an electorate MP, it's only the voters who can fire him. National is stuck with him as long as he refuses to resign.    So Christopher Luxon's done the next best thing - the only thing - and stood him down while this investigation is carried out.    Which is clever politically because, with an investigation on the cards, he can quite rightly avoid any further interrogation on the matter - for a couple of weeks anyway - because there is now a formal process in place and why would he want to jepoardise that by talking publicly about it. So it's a good political move.    I also think it's smart given this latest allegation involves a former female flatmate from Uffindell's days as a student at Otago University - who is alleging that he could get out of control on booze and drugs, and that she was scared stiff of him.    She's alleging he was verbally aggressive, would trash the place after using drugs and alcohol and, on one occasion, she had to climb out of her bedroom window and go to a friend's place because he was banging on her door yelling all sorts of obscenities.    And, as Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking this morning, as a father with a daughter flatting, he'd want the thing fully investigated and that's what's going to happen.    And myself, with a daughter flatting at university, I'd be exactly the same.  And I bet there'll be other parents up and down the country who would've heard Luxon say that this morning and think ‘yep, I'm with you on that one mate'.    As for Uffindell himself, he's saying he did drink and smoke weed at university but he's denying that he was intimidating or bullying in the flat. This is the guy, though, who told Newstalk ZB yesterday morning there was nothing else that could come out. So, we'll let the QC try and work out who's telling the truth.    Nevertheless, I think Christopher Luxon has done the right thing here standing-down Uffindell. He kind of hid it this morning when he was on the radio, but Luxon will be fuming about this. And he should be.    Because not only has he been let-down by his new MP, he's also been let-down big time by his own party which left him completely in the dark over all this.    But Luxon has shown that he's in charge of the situation now and good on him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National leader Chris Luxon says he's 'suspending judgment' about Sam Uffindell. The under-fire Tauranga MP's admitted to beating up a 13-year-old boy at Kings College when he was 16. Last night, fresh allegations emerged of aggressive behaviour while in university.He's been stood down from caucus during an investigation. Yesterday, Luxon told media Uffindell has a good character but he's now changing his tune. He says he felt that way until the new claims emerged. Newstalk ZB Hosts Jack Tame and Tim Beveridge joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to discuss the Uffindell scandal.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a bloody mess. Hopefully, with Peter Goodfellow gone, National can get their house in order once and for all. This ridiculous hoo-ha over a new electorate MP should never have come to pass and would never have come to pass if National's systems and processes were better when it comes to selection. Party leader Christopher Luxon sounded as exasperated as he probably gets when he was talking to Mike Hosking this morning. It beggars belief that Luxon and his deputy Nicola Willis would be left playing catch up after revelations Uffindell had been expelled from school for beating up a younger student. And then once those revelations were made, of course, it became a pile-on. The allegations Luxon was referring to in the interview are from a woman who flatted with Uffindell, who said he was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities until she fled through the window. She said that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Her father came to Dunedin to help her move out of the flat the next day and gave the flatmates a piece of his mind. I would prefer to see any allegations of bad behaviour handed over to the police and let them decide whether a threshold has been crossed. We are all imperfect people. Parliament is made up of people just like us; imperfect. There is not a pool of perfect, blameless souls from whom we can select to make up our Parliament or our police or whatever it might be, and in a way I'm glad there's not. I would prefer people to have lived a bit of life, made mistakes and known what it's like to be humbled. I'd rather people like them were running the country and creating policy. Would I seek out the company of a man like Sam Uffindell? No, I wouldn't. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RNZ parliament team give a rundown on the latest from the fallout from the Sam Uffindell revelations over two past two days.

Staff reporter and RNZ Under-fire National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus, pending an investigation into further "very concerning accusations" surrounding his past behaviour. In a statement late on Tuesday night, National Party leader Christopher Luxon said he had been made aware of new allegations about Uffindell's behaviour toward a female flatmate while Uffindell was at university in 2003. The woman has told RNZ Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window. Uffindell has denied any accusations he was involved in bullying or intimidatory behaviour while at university. This morning National Party leader Chris Luxon told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking the situation was very concerning. "You got a situation where a young woman, a flatmate has made serious allegations. It is a concerning situation for a father whose daughter is flatting, it's very real. They are serious allegations that need to be investigated. Sam is disputing the allegations." Asked if Uffindell still had his backing, Luxon told TVNZ: "We'll find out in the next few weeks because really, what this investigation is about, is looking at both sides of that investigation." Luxon also acknowledged that the investigation was needed to honour the "alleged victim" too. The new allegations came a day after revelations that the new Tauranga MP, as a teenager, beat up a younger boy at boarding school. "This evening my office became aware of very concerning accusations made to RNZ about behaviour shown by Mr Uffindell toward a female flatmate in 2003 while at university," Luxon said. "Mr Uffindell disputes the allegations and in the interests of natural justice, an independent investigation will now be undertaken to determine the facts. While this process is under way, Mr Uffindell will be stood down from caucus." Former flatmate's accusations Uffindell's former flatmate, who RNZ agreed not to name, lived with him and three other Otago University students for several months in Dunedin in 2003. She told RNZ Uffindell engaged in a pattern of bullying during their second year at university, describing him as "verbally aggressive". Uffindell would trash the house after "excessive" use of alcohol and drugs, she said. "This was intimidation. This was bullying. I didn't feel safe," she said. The woman said she eventually moved out of the flat after having to lock herself in her bedroom to avoid a drunken outburst one night. "He was smashing on my door and yelling obscenities and basically telling me to get out - 'hit the road, fatty'. "I ended up climbing out of my bedroom window and ran to a friend's house to stay the night. I feared for my safety. I was scared." The woman said it was not an isolated incident: "it was just the straw that broke the camel's back." Her father travelled to Dunedin the next day to help her move out, she said. Speaking to RNZ, the woman's father corroborated his part in the story and said his daughter had been "seriously upset". "The flat itself was completely trashed. There wasn't a stick of furniture left. There was no crockery left. There were no handles left on anything. It had all been broken." He said he gave Uffindell and two of the other flatmates "a serious piece of [his] mind" at the time. "It was clear... [Uffindell] had real issues, real problems... he was out of control." The woman said she was traumatised by the event and did her best to avoid Uffindell from then on: "my stomach would absolutely flip and drop if I saw him". Looking back, the woman said she should have spoken to someone or taken some sort of action, but she was too scared. Uffindell never apologised for his actions, she said. She said people may try to excuse Uffindell's actions because of his age, but the pattern of behaviour revealed his character. "Listening to his maiden speech in Parliament, he talks about lack of accountability and a sense of impunity - I think that's so hypocritical." Uffindell's response In a statement and while not addressing the specific allegations, Uffindell admitted engaging in a "student lifestyle" while at university. "When I was a student at Otago I enjoyed a student lifestyle, which included drinking and, at times, smoking marijuana," he said. "While in second year a number of flatmates fell out – and two of the flatmates left midway through the year. "I reject any accusation that I engaged in behaviour that was intimidatory or bullying. This simply did not happen. "While there is an investigation into these accusations I will not make further comment." National Party president Sylvia Wood said the investigation into the latest allegations would be conducted by Maria Dew QC and is expected to take two weeks. "As the party only became aware of these allegations this evening, the details of the investigation will be finalised over the next few days, including the terms of reference." Wood said in a statement. "In the interests of letting due process run its course, I will not be making additional comment on this issue while the investigation is carried out." Uffindell - who won the Tauranga byelection in June - had apologised to the boy he assaulted in 1999 while at King's College. In multiple interviews on Monday, he claimed the attack was the "stupidest" thing he'd ever done and still regretted the incident. On Tuesday he admitted to being a "bully" and a "thug" when he was younger. Speaking to the Herald on Monday, Uffindell said he believed the assault on the then 13-year-old boy 23 years ago would become public during his running in the Tauranga byelection this year. When it didn't, Uffindell chose not to tell the public until it was revealed by Stuff on Monday - a decision he still stands by, despite saying he had "taken ownership" of the incident and it had made him grow as a person. He also revealed he may have tackled other students during the "raid" of the third form (Year 9) dorm that saw him expelled, in addition to punching one student in the arm and body several times. The investigation into allegations against Uffindell will be conducted by Maria Dew QC and is expected to take two weeks. Photo / Supplied Earlier on Tuesday, Luxon said he was standing by Uffindell after news broke of the assault, but insisted he should have been told of the incident earlier. "He has my backing and he has my support but clearly he needs to build back trust with the voters of Tauranga," Luxon said. Luxon confirmed that Uffindell had declared the incident to the National Party when he sought to be a candidate. "He is not the same person that he was 22 years ago as a 16-year-old." Luxon said he should have been informed earlier. The delegates should have been informed and the voters of Tauranga should have been informed earlier. He said Uffindell's admission during selection had triggered deeper background checks and he believed that was how it was supposed to work. Luxon said National's character checking extended to speaking to people who had known Uffindell since after the King's College incident. "There was a deep exploration of this issue with Sam." While the violence committed at the school was "totally unacceptable and abhorrent", Luxon said he had been assured that Uffindell did not have any other incidents in his past.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 hours after we voiced a whole lot of anger towards Sam Uffindell about his assault of a 13 year old when he was at Kings the rest of the media has followed along...albeit some of them wasting opportunities at asking decent questions and making pretty piss poor attempts to hold Uffindell to account. We'll wrap up the last 24 hours tonight and bring you all the latest information across many media outlets in one big hairy tidy package Also Trump's home in Mar-a-Lago was raided by the FBI today, Trumpian supporters are already calling it a 'witch hunt' people with more than one brain cell, and the ability to watch the Jan 6th committees can see it's likely the start of more serious charges, or at the very least accusations, against the former President

Despite Sam Uffindell's denials on this show yesterday that there was nothing else to disclose, turns out, at least in some people's minds, there is something else to disclose. But exactly what is the key and how out of control this gets is another major part of the equation.   The claim is that in a flat in 2003 he was a bully and he was verbally aggressive towards a female flatmate. Uffindell is now stood down as the obligatory QC is called in to investigate. So, what is a bully? What is verbally aggressive? And how, given it happened, allegedly, he denies it by the way, 20 years ago, does anyone really get to the bottom of it? And even if they come close, what is the fallout? What is the penalty? This is a mess. But then it was always going to be a mess, because this is who we are, sadly. Despite all the hypha-looting talk about forgive and forget, rehabilitation, youthful indiscretion, moving on, and growing up, we don't actually want that, we want revenge. At least it appears these two who have made the allegations do. Attacking someone as Uffindell admitted to as a 16-year-old isn't on, no one says it is. But going to the media to complain is not about putting it right, it's about revenge. Accusing the same person of banging on your door and yelling obscenities takes the case into the area of farce as well as petty revenge. In this day and age, we must all tread ever so carefully in case we offend someone. Banging on doors and yelling obscenities isn't dignified. But if that is now the hurdle you need to pass to enter public life, anyone who went to university and had too much to drink is never going to ever apply for anything. What else can these complainants want? Other than the destruction of a public figure? And why do they get to make the allegations while under the safety of anonymity?   All these years later, are you seriously telling me it only became an issue worth speaking out on now? Why? Revenge is a powerful driver of emotion. None of this paints the young Uffindell in a good light. He's copped that and said sorry. How many of us, with a similar light, might have one or two stories we aren't proud of? This is a pile on. Chris Luxon is between a rock and a hard place. You have to investigate, what else can you do? And where does it stop? If banging on the door and yelling is cause for a QC, how many other stories of doors are out there? If behaviour is the critical component here, look at Uffindell all you want, but what about the behaviour and motive of those that look to destroy a person all these years later?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party Leader Christopher Luxon joined Heather du Plessis Allan Drive to discuss Sam Uffindell's Bullying past.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is insisting it would have handled the Sam Uffindell saga differently.The new National MP for Tauranga has been stood down while the party investigates new allegations about his behaviour at university, allegations which he denies. Uffindell had already been under fire, over revelations he was involved in an attack on a younger boy while he was at high school. Senior Labour Cabinet Minister Megan Woods told Mike Hosking while Luxon wasn't told about the allegations; the Labour Party always informs its leader about such matters. National's Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking Luxon is right to be taking the matter seriously. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, Sam Uffindell has now been stood down from caucus while the National party investigates some new allegations that have come to light from when Uffindell was a uni student. He's been accused of banging on the bedroom door of a female flatmate in 2003, screaming obscenities, she claims he was a bully. The former flatmate says she lived with Uffindell and three other students for several months in Dunedin in 2003, she says he was verbally aggressive.  She says he excessively used alcohol and drugs, and that she didn't feel safe. She eventually moved out, her Dad corroborates her story. And there were other details reported like the flat had no furniture in it, handles had been broken off doors etc. That part of the story I'm afraid is probably to this day the state of many Otago Uni student flats, if not worse. And you could mount an argument that that's flatting culture in a student town like Otago - students sitting around drinking, smoking weed, yelling obscenities, trashing flats.  Doesn't make it right, I'm not defending it, but having had and continuing to have many family members through the flatting scene in Dunedin, that part's not that shocking. It's a problem with Otago flatting culture and student party lifestyle and that's another story for another day. This incident and allegation is what counts and how this woman was made to feel. She says she was scared. She's clearly traumatised by it. Uffindell has responded to the allegations by saying he did engage in a 'student lifestyle' but that he rejects any accusation that he engaged in behaviour that was intimidatory or bullying. He says that simply did not happen. So it's his word against hers, hence a QC's now been hired to look into it independently, and in the interim, he steps aside. The first thing that comes to mind for me here is that I believe Uffindell when he says he's not now the person he was back then, he sounds back then like a thug and a bully and frankly an idiot. I wouldn't have wanted a bar of it either if I was his flatmate. But he does seem changed these days, and genuinely remorseful in the case of the Kings College incident, I mean he grew up obviously, and tried to make amends by way of an apology. He has also in the past 24 hours said in interviews that there's nothing else - he was asked directly if there was anything else in his background that could come to light now, any other incidents of bullying, and he said no. He denies these Otago Uni flat accusations, says it simply didn't happen. He says a number of flatmates fell out in the second year of uni and two of the flatmates left midway through the year. So he's either a lying bully with a history of aggressive behaviour, or he's telling the truth. The QC will decide. In the interim, and more importantly what are the optics of this, what will the public make of it, the people of Tauranga, and National supporters? It is a giant unwelcome distraction which does the party no favours. And it actually points to a bigger issue within National of how seriously they take candidate selection, how thoroughly they're vetting people, and how much brainpower they're applying to the process. No matter which way it goes for Sam Uffindell, that's the bigger problem for National.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If MPs resigned every time they did something just to protect their political careers, then we'd probably have no one left in Parliament. But some cases are different - and that's what we have on our hands today. Brand new National MP Sam Uffindell is in the firing line not just for giving a 3rd former a hiding when he was a boarder at King's College in Auckland 23 years ago, and being kicked out of the school because of it. He's also being criticised for apologising to the victim last year, nine months before he stood for the National Party and winning the Tauranga by-election - and not telling voters about it. And, as far as I'm concerned, that's the bit that sticks. He's the guy, by the way, who insinuated in his maiden speech in Parliament last week that New Zealand has gone soft. All the talking he's been doing since the story came out yesterday about him “reaching out” to his victim and his “atonement” - that all rings about as true as his answer to a question during the by-election campaign about what he thought his biggest regret or mistake in life had been. This was in a Bay of Plenty Times Q&A article all the candidates took part in. The ACT candidate said drink-driving as a teenager was his biggest regret. Uffindell said his was not coming back home to New Zealand sooner. Pull the other one mate. Today, though, he's saying that taking part in the beating was “one of the dumbest and stupidest things I've ever done”. Which still doesn't sound like regret, does it? Dumb and stupid? Do you think his victim thinks the whole thing was “dumb and stupid”? Of course not…I think words like “terrifying”, “totally unjustified”, “repulsive” are more accurate than “dumb and stupid”. As we know, Uffindell came back to New Zealand with his family after working overseas and - according to what I heard him say to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB this morning - it was at that point that he decided he wanted to get in touch with the guy he beat-up in the boarding house at school to apologise. He says it had been weighing on him and he wanted to do the right thing. It seems the apology was accepted - but then when the guy who was the victim of the beating saw on the news that Uffindell was standing in the Tauranga by-election, he was gobsmacked. “I felt sick.” They're his exact words. It seems the National Party knew about the incident - and that Uffindell had been kicked out of school because of it - when it selected him to be its candidate in Tauranga. For some reason, though, the party didn't share that information publicly. Nor did Uffindell. Although, apparently, he had been expecting it to come out at some point during the by-election campaign. I think it would be more accurate to say he was hoping it wouldn't come out during the campaign, don't you? The thing is, you ask anyone who's been to any boarding school anywhere in New Zealand they'll tell you stories of violence just like the one we've heard about Uffindell and his mates giving that 3rd form kid a hiding in the dorm at King's College back in ‘99. That doesn't make it any more acceptable - but it's not unique. And it's probably still happening in some places. These days, though, you'd like to think that schools are doing a bit more to stop it. I know at King's College, at least, the 3rd form or Year 9 boarders have their own boarding house these days. So incidents like the dorm raid Uffindell and his mates were involved in are less likely to happen. But what has struck me about this, is this happened 23 years ago when schools were nowhere near as proactive in dealing with bullying and violence. There was still a “grin and bear it” attitude back in 1999. Nevertheless, King's College obviously thought that whatever Uffindell did was bad enough for him to be kicked out of school the very next day. There was no stand-down. No cooling off period. He was called to a meeting with his parents and the principal and the house master and given his marching orders. The very next day. And when I heard Uffindell himself explain to Newstalk ZB what he and his mates did to that kid, it sounded absolutely appalling. And obviously the school thought so too. But, despite all that, I can look at this as a parent and know that what a person does when they are 16 shouldn't be a ball and chain they have to carry for the rest of their lives. However, I am more judgemental of someone nearing their 40s - particularly someone who wants to be an MP and wants their community to put their trust in them. And, on the basis of Uffindell not being up front with the public and only talking about his part in this appalling act of violence after it's been reported in the media, tells me that he is not the type of person I want as an MP. That's why I think he should resign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while further allegations of bullying raised by RNZ are investigated.  A female flatmate of Uffindell's from his University days, in 2003, says she was bullied and intimidated so badly she was forced to flee for her own safety. Uffindell denies the allegations, saying a number of flatmates fell out during his second year at university, but he rejects accusations his behaviour was intimidatory or bullying. National Party leader Christopher Luxon says an independent inquiry will be done by Maria Dew QC, over the next two weeks. Terms of reference for the inquiry will be decided today. Political commentator Brigitte Morten spoke to Guyon Espiner.

National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while an investigation is done into further allegations of bullying raised by RNZ . A woman has come forward claiming Uffindell bullied and intimidated her so badly at a student flat in Dunedin in the early 2000s she was forced to flee for her own safety. In a statement issued late last night, Uffindell denied claims he engaged in "intimidatory or bullying" behaviour, but said there was a falling-out between flatmates. The allegations follow revelations that the new Tauranga MP, as a teenager, beat up a younger boy at Auckland's prestigious King's College boarding school and was asked to leave. The MP yesterday described himself as a 16-year-old thug but said he was now a changed person. RNZ has spoken to his former flatmate and her father. They did not want to be named. She said Uffindell engaged in a pattern of bullying fuelled by excessive drinking and would trash the house.

National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while an investigation is done into further allegations of bullying raised by RNZ. A woman who flatted with the Tauranga MP at university in 2003 says Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window. In a statement issued late last night, Uffindell denied claims he engaged in "intimidatory or bullying" behaviour, but said there was a falling-out between flatmates. The allegations follow revelations that Uffindell, as a teenager, beat up a younger boy at Auckland's prestigious King's College boarding school and was asked to leave. The MP yesterday described himself as a 16-year-old thug but said he was now a changed person. RNZ has spoken to his former flatmate and her father. They did not want to be named. National Party leader Christopher Luxon released a statement late on Tuesday night. "This evening my office became aware of very concerning accusations made to RNZ about behaviour shown by Mr Uffindell toward a female flatmate in 2003 while at university," he said. "Mr Uffindell disputes the allegations and in the interests of natural justice, an independent investigation will now be undertaken to determine the facts. While this process is underway, Mr Uffindell will be stood down from caucus. "The investigation will be conducted by Maria Dew QC and I expect it to take two weeks. "However, as these allegations have only come to me in the last few hours, the finer details of the investigation, including the terms of reference, are yet to be confirmed and will be finalised over the next couple of days." Uffindell has also responded and said when he was a student at Otago he enjoyed a student lifestyle, which included drinking and, at times, smoking marijuana. While in second year a number of flatmates fell out - and two of the flatmates left midway through the year. He rejects any accusation that he was engaged in behaviour that was intimidatory or bullying. he says it simply did not happen. Uffindell said while there is an investigation into these accusations he will not make further comment.

National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while an investigation is carried out into further allegations of bullying raised by RNZ. A woman who flatted with the Tauranga MP at university in 2003 has told RNZ's Morning Report Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window. In a statement issued late Tuesday night, Uffindell denied claims he engaged in "intimidatory or bullying" behaviour, but said there was a falling-out between flatmates. The allegations follow revelations that Uffindell, as a teenager, beat up a younger boy at Auckland's prestigious King's College boarding school and was asked to leave. National Party leader Christopher Luxon spoke to Guyon Espiner.

National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while an investigation is carried out into further allegations of bullying raised by RNZ. A woman who flatted with the Tauranga MP at university in 2003 has told RNZ's Morning Report Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window. In a statement issued late Tuesday night, Uffindell denied claims he engaged in "intimidatory or bullying" behaviour, but said there was a falling-out between flatmates. The allegations follow revelations that Uffindell, as a teenager, beat up a younger boy at Auckland's prestigious King's College boarding school and was asked to leave. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The National Party has just held their annual conference where leader Christopher Luxon announced how he would get the youth unemployed into work.  Also, in the 1 News/Kantar poll this week, for the first time, National found itself in a position to form a Government with ACT.  It's a fairly good week if you're National.  But then serious and significant allegations started to bubble up about Sam Uffindell, the Tauranga MP, causing him to be stood down by Luxon. Luxon told Smalley on Wednesday morning that the further allegations that emerged on Tuesday evening were "very serious and concerning." A former female flatmate of Uffindell made allegations about his behaviour, on RNZ. Uffindell said in a statement there was a falling out with flatmates, but rejects any accusations of bullying or intimidatory behaviour. "I moved very quickly last night to make sure that we get an independent investigation," said Luxon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National MP Sam Uffindell's past is being put under the microscope following allegations made by a former flatmate when he was at Otago University. The woman told RNZ he was an aggressive bully who scared her so badly one night she fled through her bedroom window; in a statement last night Uffindell denied the claims and said there was a falling out between two flatmates. While Uffindell is stood down, an investigation into his past will be conducted by Maria Dew QC. It will include the original allegation - admitted by Uffindell himself - of an attack on a 13-year-old boarder while he was a 16-year-old student at Kings College - actions that resulted in him being made to leave the school. So did National have any other option, but the one it's taken? Susie speaks with political commentator and former National government press secretary, Ben Thomas.

National leader Christopher Luxon says he feels for the victim of Sam Uffindell's attack while at Kings College in the past.  He told Checkpoint he believes Uffindell is genuinely contrite, but said it is disappointing Uffindell did not disclose the event to the public before being elected MP for Tauranga.  On the selection process, Luxon said "in hindsight we got that wrong, and it should have been made public."  When asked if further revelations could mean Uffindell is gone, Luxon said he has been assured the worst incident in Uffindell's past has been disclosed. Luxon said he would not speculate on hypotheticals.   

Another MP and another headache for the National Party over its candidate selection. It's newest MP in Tauranga, Sam Uffindell, has admitted he was kicked out of his boarding school as a teenager for beating a younger student. Deputy leader, Nicola Willis, says neither she, nor leader Christopher Luxon, were told by the party about Uffindell's admission before he was selected. In fact, she only found out yesterday. She spoke to First Up's Nick Truebridge.

National's newest MP Sam Uffindell has acknowledged he was asked to leave Auckland's Kings College 23 years ago for his part in a vicious assault against a younger student, after the story was published in the media. Uffindell told Checkpoint his attack on a third former while at school in 1999 is easily the "dumbest stupidest and most regretful thing I've ever done".

It has been revealed the National Party's newest MP was asked to leave a prestigious boarding school, after a night-time attack on a younger boy.

National Party MP Sam Uffindell was kicked out of King's College after beating up a younger pupil at the exclusive school. Uffindell was sixteen at the time, while the boy he hit was aged thirteen. It all happened decades ago. Should people in general, and politicians in particular, be held accountable for historical wrongdoing of this kind? Veteran media educator and former University of Canterbury School of Political Science and Communications head Jim Tully spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The National party leader Christopher Luxon has just fronted media over the revelations about the Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell. Sam Uffindell was kicked out of Auckland's King's College when he was 16, for taking part in a violent assault of a 13-year-old. Mr Uffindell told the National Party about the incident before he was selected. But Mr Luxon has told media that as leader, he should have been told about it , and so should voters in the Tauranga by-election. Susie speaks with RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson.

The National MP Sam Uffindell says boarding schools in the 90s were a “rough and tumble” environment but the incident which saw him expelled from Kings College was the most serious he was involved in. Uffindell has admitted he was asked to leave the school when he was 16 after a physical assault on a younger student. He told Morning Report students would punch and tackle each other. But his attack on a third former on the last day of term was the only event he mentioned to the National Party selection committee. He says he regrets the incident. Uffindell denies that his apology to the victim last year was in preparation for his political career.

National MP Sam Uffindell was asked to leave King's College while he was a student after he was involved in a late-night violent beating of a younger boy, according to one report. Aged 16 as a Year 11 student at the Auckland boarding school, Uffindell and three others reportedly jumped on the boy and began beating him with what was believed to be unscrewed wooden bed legs, according to Stuff. It was reported the now MP for Tauranga apologised to his victim 22 years after the attack and nine months before he revealed his political aspirations. Sam Uffindell joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National MP Sam Uffindell said there was a culture of "rough and tumble" when asked if he had been involved in any other incidents of bullying as a schoolboy. Aged 16 as a Year 11 student at King's College, Uffindell and three others jumped on the then 13-year-old boy and began beating him with what was believed to be unscrewed wooden bed legs. "Boarding houses in the 1999, there was a bit of rough and tumble that went on... we would tackle and punch each other around a bit, but I wouldn't go out and focus on someone. "This was the most serious," he told RNZ. He also said that any other incidents were "not targeted" but would not disclose details. Uffindell reiterated that when we was asked to leave King's College it was solely related to the assault he was involved in made on a 13-year-old student. He said the incident was his fault and he takes full accountability. "I try and live my life as an adult as a responsible person to set a good example to my children and to others." The National Party leader Christopher Luxon and his deputy Nicola Willis only learned of Sam Uffindell's school teenage dormitory assault yesterday afternoon, it has been revealed. Willis told RNZ said she found out about the incident just after lunchtime and she believed that Luxon also found out then. She said Uffindell had disclosed the incident to the pre-selection panel, made up of local and national party representatives, and they had made the decision about not precluding him from standing for Parliament. "That's a party matter. That's their judgement. Where I stand on this today is that I have advised Sam that what he should do now is be completely upfront with New Zealanders about this because ultimately it is the people of New Zealand and the people of Tauranga who will be the judges of us." Willis described it as a serious incident and her thoughts were with the victim, saying it would have been a traumatic event at the time and something that would never leave you. She said there should be room in Parliament for those who made serious errors, accounted for them but were now committed to using their position for good. "If I thought that Sam was still the same man as he was when he was a 16-year-old when he committed this act then I don't think there would be a place for him in Parliament. However, I see that he is extremely sincere in his regret in his genuine apology and that he is being upfront about what occurred and that he is a different person today than when this happened." His former school, King's College, has also spoken out after it was revealed the National MP assaulted a 13-year-old student while attending the school. King's College headmaster Simon Lamb confirmed the incident and said it was dealt with at the time. "The issue referred to in the Stuff article today was a matter which the College dealt with 22 years ago," said Lamb. "Since that time, the College has not been involved in any follow-up activity with those involved, including the recent discussions reported in the article." Sam Uffindell is the MP for Tauranga. Photo / File The incident reportedly occurred in 1999 on the last night of term inside one of the King's College boarding houses. It was reported by Stuff that the now MP for Tauranga apologised to his victim 22 years after the attack and nine months before he revealed his political aspirations. Uffindell has detailed the late-night violent beating of a younger boy that led to him being asked to leave King's College while he was a student. Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan, Uffindell confirmed the incident and said it was "one of the dumbest, stupidest things I have ever done". He also wouldn't rule out standing down as MP. "It was one of the silliest, stupidest things I've ever done. I really regretted it, I do really regret it still," Uffindell told Newstalk ZB. Police were not involved but he was asked to leave King's College, and finished his schooling at St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton. Uffindell said at the end of the school year students went into the third-form dorm and "raided them". With the boy, he said he punched him a "bunch of times" in the arms and body. He and the other boys were called into the school the next day and asked to leave, Uffindell said. He said he was gutted about the incident, "had taken ownership of it" and had thought about it for years. He said he had "no recollection" of using bed legs to beat the boy. "I still am sorry for what happened, I wish it had not happened." A statement from the National Party said the party had been "proactively informed" about the incident by Uffindell during the selection process ahead of the Tauranga byelection. "It was a significant event reflecting a serious error of judgment by a then 16-year-old for which he has apologised and regrets to this day," the statement read. The victim, who was not named, told Stuff that Uffindell contacted him through a mutual acquaintance in July last year to apologise, which the victim eventually accepted. "But then a few months later I sat down to watch the news on the couch with a beer and there he was, running for Parliament," the victim said. "I felt sick." Uffindell had reportedly not mentioned his political intentions during the interaction. "We had a long conversation and I was grateful that he accepted my apology. My apology was genuine then, and it is genuine now."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga's new MP is wasting no time getting down to business.Sam Uffindell has retained the Tauranga seat for National, after beating Labour's Jan Tinetti by around six thousand votes in Saturday's by-election.He's taking the first flight to Wellington this morning, to meet with his colleagues at Parliament.Uffindell told Mike Hosking he's set himself clear goals, including introducing a member's bill to give police greater power to stop gang convoys.He's going to go hard and see what kind of difference he can make, for Tauranga and the country as a whole.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tauranga by-election wraps up on Saturday.National's Sam Uffindell is tipped to win what is a safe seat for them.The latest poll has Uffindell at 45 percent to Labour's Jan Tinetti at 35 percent.It has been revealed that more than two thirds have been spent on consultants.Where Transport Minister Michael Wood has defended the spending, National's Simeon Brown has said the project was going nowhere.The Auckland mayoral race is heating up.A new poll shows all five candidates are polling close, while Leo Molloy has claimed he's got National's endorsement.NZ Herald Political Editor Claire Trevett joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVE

James is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Bright Network which helps young grads from all backgrounds get into their best careers. The network has over 500,000 members and 80 million data points on what the building of a strong career looks like. From humble beginnings James has strived forward with an infectious enthusiasm. His life changed when a teacher saw the potential in him at 16 and he's never looked back. He is now on a mission to even the playing field for people from underprivileged starts as Bright Network goes from strength to strength.

In season 2, episode 18 Simon talks to James Ufindell. James is a technology entrepreneur, investor and one of the UK's leading experts on the entry level talent market. James has spent the last 20 years helping over one million students with their applications to both blue chip employers and leading universities. James is an expert on social mobility at university level, the graduate job market, internships, entry level talent, and managing and engaging Gen Z and millennial employees. James set up his first business in his university bedroom in 1999 which he sold to a Private Investor in 2013. Frustrated at the lack of career support for graduates, James founded Bright Network in 2013, a high-growth technology platform that uses data and insights to build the workforce of tomorrow. In the last 12 months, Bright Network has served 12M+ of careers advice supports over 280,000+ graduates and 300+ of the world's largest employers including Google, Goldman Sachs, Accenture and PwC. The business has raised £7M+ of venture investment to date and is one of the fastest growing careers networks in the UK.

During today's episode of Entelechy Leadership Stories we speak with http://linkedin.com/in/erika-uffindell-81b82848 (Erika Uffindell), a pioneer in conscious leadership, about companies and individuals reaching their full potential.  Erika is the founder of http://uffindellgroup.com/ (Uffindell). She started the business in 1989 and has led the business as CEO for 25 years before moving into the Chair role in 2014. She is also a Director of http://gcfcl.com/ (The Global Centre for Conscious Leadership), a Partner in Pinea3 Living Organizations, Director of Founding Wisdom, and a founding member of Conscious Capitalism UK. The concept of conscious Leadership is evolving and becoming an essential part of a companies ecosystem. The term conscious leadership has been referred to as responsible leadership, authentic leadership, servant leadership. It all comes from the same standpoint within leaders; a high level of consciousness and greater levels of self-awareness. Having these higher levels of self-awareness leads to systemic awareness in which leaders see the system as a whole.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2018/07/19/5-ways-to-be-a-conscious-leader/?sh=399ebef461ca (Conscious leadership) expands from the “I” and “We” to the “Us”. Traditional leadership focuses on the “I” and how the “I” impacts the “We – the business”. Systemic leadership has the capacity to see and solve for the “Us” that includes the impact on society. Conscious leadership embodies how “we” work with others, and how we work together to solve the world problems. Purpose-driven companies are organizations that have a higher purpose that extends out, being aware of their impact out on the wider society. With an emphasis on how we are a force to do good in the world. Conscious leaders have a great capacity to tame and train the ego, the ability to see the wider picture, has the ability to see multiple perspectives, deeply listens to and seeks to understand others, stands in non-judgment, and open to holding space for ideas to emerge for both individuals and companies to grow. They have the capacity to see the macro view of the higher purpose and the ability to focus on the micro granularity to focus and run a business. Erika describes the studies being done on a global platform to measure and capture the key data points of the financial performance of companies run by conscious leaders. Capturing the value of conscious leadership for shareholders through quantifiable data supports the implementation and longevity of leaders committed to higher values and purpose. To learn more about Erika, her company and organizations visit: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-uffindell-81b82848 (linkedin.com/in/erika-uffindell-81b82848) Website: http://uffindellgroup.com/ (http://uffindellgroup.com/) Website: http://gcfcl.com/ (http://gcfcl.com/)