An investigation has been launched into the leak of a highly confidential Cabinet paper as the Prime Minister says he retains “every confidence” in his ministers.
Christopher Luxon said the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment had launched an internal investigation on its own accord after a Cabinet paper on Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) was leaked to the media in the past several days.
The PM told media this morning he had retained confidence in his Cabinet ministers.
It comes as his MPs are sworn in at Parliament today.
Luxon said: “I have every confidence in my Cabinet. What I have been informed is that MBIE have, on their own volition, started up an investigation.
“That’s good they’re taking it seriously and they are acting swiftly about it.”
Both National and ACT have been determined to repeal FPAs since they were introduced as a flagship policy of the previous Labour government.
Following the leak, Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden said the agreements were a “blunt tool” that the new Government was “moving quickly to remove”.
The Cabinet advice, given to Van Velden, suggested the move would disproportionately hurt groups like disabled people, women, Māori, Pacific people, and young people, according to reporting by the New Zealand Herald.
The source of the leak, first reported by Newshub, remains unknown.
Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff suggested this morning that the rapid move to dismantle FPAs showed a stance that “flies in the face of evidence”.
Wagstaff said the Government was now “riding roughshod” over the advice of officials.
“She’s rushing it through. She has a pre-determined agenda, and that agenda won’t work well for vulnerable groups.
“Those people are facing a cost-of-living crisis more than anybody. Those people need better support and policy development than this.”
He added: “If you look at Australia where they have minimum standards, you have higher wages, higher productivity, and better business outcomes.”
The Council of Trade Unions fought hard against a National and ACT government during the election campaign, including spending big on billboards and advertisements.

Meanwhile, the Taxpayers Union, a right-wing lobby group, said the leak showed Van Velden should be commended for standing up to “ivory tower” public servants.
Van Velden, who is also the deputy leader of ACT, said in a statement yesterday that her move to delete FPAs would bring about “real change” to lift wages.
“These agreements were a blunt tool that could be initiated by a union and a small number of employees, yet they applied to every employee and every employer within coverage.”
The minister added: “No Fair Pay Agreements have been finalised to date. Repealing the legislation will have no impact on the current employment terms for workers.
“To increase the wages of workers and ensure lower prices for consumers, there needs to be improved productivity and an environment where business can operate competitively.
“The Government is moving quickly to remove this legislation before any fair pay agreements are finalised and the negative impacts are felt by the labour market.”-1news