New Zealand PM Shocked as Aide Resigns Amid Secret Recording Allegations

The resignation of Michael Forbes, deputy chief press secretary, shocks NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and prompts a review of privacy laws amidst allegations of voyeurism.

A significant scandal is unfolding in New Zealand politics as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's deputy chief press secretary, Michael Forbes, has resigned following accusations of secretly recording women. This unfortunate incident has alarmed not only the Prime Minister but also the general public, raising critical questions about privacy and consent.

Forbes has publicly apologized, expressing deep regret to the women harmed by his actions. The allegations first surfaced after a sex worker discovered Forbes’ phone was recording audio while he was in the shower, as reported by Stuff, a local news outlet. Subsequent investigations revealed that his phone contained numerous photos and audio recordings, some of which documented sexual encounters, including videos captured from outside women's homes.

PM Luxon described the situation as an "absolute shock" and affirmed his administration's commitment to zero tolerance for behaviors that compromise women’s safety. "My sympathy is with the women who raised these allegations," Luxon stated, underscoring the seriousness of the claims and the emotional impact on the victims involved.

This scandal has led to discussions among political leaders about the urgent need to reform privacy laws in New Zealand to better protect potential victims of voyeurism. In a further development, police confirmed a complaint was made last July concerning the photographs found on Forbes’ phone during an encounter with a sex worker, but determined the incident did not warrant prosecution at that time.

Forbes, who served as an advisor in Luxon's office since February, revealed that he has struggled with unresolved emotional issues and has sought professional help since the scandal. He acknowledged a failure in sufficiently apologizing to the women affected by his actions.

In response to the unfolding situation, Prime Minister Luxon has called for a thorough review of inter-agency processes, following the disclosure that authorities were aware of the investigation into Forbes since the previous summer without informing government ministers. "We have to take this incident and understand what occurred, how it transpired, and how we can prevent similar occurrences in the future," Luxon stated, signaling a proactive approach to handling the fallout from this incident.