"Nobody is perfect, and there are aspects of everybody's lives that they're not proud of. I would just say to the people that bring these things up is, 'let's just take a breath'."

He said it was very easy to attack individuals without considering their families who were impacted by the publicity.

"Where it's tough it's probably like any job where you are working away from home three or four days a week for the whole year.

The difference is probably that there's not 30 or 40 journalists camped outside your door the entire time and ready to keep scrutiny on you. That is the unusual aspect of the job."

Former Ministers have addressed "trauma and humiliation" during their valedictory speeches.

One revealed that they had even contemplated suicide due to the intense pressure of being an MP, and subsequent media criticism.

Iain Lees-Galloway, who was sacked from Cabinet by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern two weeks ago, used his speech to apologise to his family.

He admitted that the relationship with the staffer was not appropriate, and acknowledged the power imbalanced involved.

But he said he and his family experienced "dehumanising trauma" after they were used for "headlines and clickbait."

Another former minister, Clare Curran was sacked from Cabinet by the prime minister in mid-2018.

She said her time as an MP was a privilege, but at times she was made a "public spectacle."

"Politicians should be held accountable. But we are not prey.

The accountability lacks perspective. If you don't believe me, go ask the public."

Source

• nzhearld.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• nzhearald.co.nz
• Image: newsroom.co.nz

He says it seems a National Party advocate has taken advantage of the community's deprivation.

"Congregation members are being approached by a person claiming to represent National who is convincing them to sign forms they don't fully comprehend.

"They are then being sent letters addressed to them personally saying they are now members of National and must now vote for them"

Sio said he has been urged by a junior pastor of the church involved - who wishes to remain anonymous - to warn Pasifika people about this.

Sio's allegation is disputed by Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, who says Labour has to produce one of these letters to back up its claim. he said that the National Party did not send out letters inviting people to join the party.

Source

• Scoop
• NewstalkZB
• Radio Australia
• Image: thedailyblog

He was speaking in the wake of disclosures made in a recently published book, Dirty Politics which is based on information contained in emails obtained by hacking the computer of a well known and controversial blogger.

Read the opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald

Dew says the disgust "shows that people have not yet become completely cynical and disengaged about New Zealand's political processes."

He said that Church leaders regularly engage with political leaders in different settings and on a wide variety of issues.

"It would be fair to say that we will not always agree on the priorities and policies of all parties."

"However, there is a great deal of mutual respect that occurs in recognising the deep commitment to serving the people of New Zealand that drives some of our best politicians."

Dew say the news media is one of the checks on the power of the state and so it is right that they bring unethical and immoral behaviour into the light.

"However, this focus can also contribute to a feeling of disenchantment by everyday people who can see no good in politicians."

"There is less news value in highlighting the everyday goodness of those who work tirelessly with patience and commitment to assist constituents through their dealings with ministers, government agencies and departments." he says.

Source

• The New Zealand Herald
• Wikipedia.org
• Image: I-graphix.com