Labour investigates head of disability branch after woman alleges mistreatment
Friday, 11 April 2025
The Labour Party opened an investigation into the chair of its disability branch, Nick Stoneman, after receiving a complaint from disabled woman Chelsea Taylor.
Taylor sent a complaint to Labour in February, saying she was concerned about the way she was being treated.
Stoneman declined to comment on the investigation, citing confidentiality and Taylor's alleged breach of privacy.
The Labour Party opened an investigation into the chair of its disability branch after receiving a complaint alleging he mistreated a disabled woman.
Labour Party general secretary Rob Salmond confirmed an investigation was launched in an email seen by Stuff. It is not known whether an outcome has been reached.
Nick Stoneman is the chair of Kirk Disability Sector, a sector of the Labour Party, “representing the 25% of New Zealanders with a disability”. He was elected to that role in November 2024.
In a phone call with Stuff, Stoneman said he was aware that Chelsea Taylor had made a complaint to the Labour Party.
“I've got absolutely no comment because again, she has breached privacy.”
Asked whether he would remain as chair of Kirk Disability Sector, he said: “I have no comment on this matter. It is confidential…”
He also declined to comment when asked how the role was tenable given the investigation.
Christchurch woman Chelsea Taylor, who has autism, ADHD, and reactive attachment disorder, contacted the NZ Disability Advisory Trust (NZDAT) in January, requesting assistance with MSD.
She had befriended NZDAT co-founder Nick Stoneman on Facebook two years earlier, knowing of him as an advocate for autistic and neurodiverse people.
She said she trusted him to help her navigate Work and Income benefits but she was charged $2616 for his services over 13 days.
Taylor had signed a Letter of Engagement with NZDAT which outlined the registered charitable trust’s fees, but because of her intellectual disability, said she didn't fully understand she would be charged.
Taylor had also been living with Stoneman for a short period of time.
Stoneman said all his clients are aware of the trusts fees and he is still awaiting payment.
He denied being Taylor’s disability navigator and said the duties were carried out by other trust staff.
“We have professional standards, and I would immediately object to doing any work for anyone who is living under my roof,” Stoneman said.
Stoneman, who is also on the spectrum, went on to call Taylor a “narcissistic autistic”.
On February 24, Taylor sent an email to Labour Party general secretary Rob Salmond.
“I’m very concerned about the way myself and other (sic) are getting treated,” Taylor wrote, listing her experience with Stoneman.
Salmond responded, saying Labour had the ability to investigate further through its formal complaints process. He then asked Taylor whether she would like to start that process.
Taylor agreed and sent through a formal complaint on February 25.
An email from Salmond, dated March 6, said: “New Zealand Council has discussed the formal complaint you’ve submitted about some of [Stoneman's] recent actions. Council has decided to investigate it further before coming to any conclusion.”
Salmond said the council had appointed a subcommittee to investigate the complaint.
“We will investigate this complaint according to our Procedure for Investigating Cases of Alleged Misconduct.”
In an email to Stuff, Salmond said: “We cannot comment on any complaint we may or may not be investigating.”
He said Labour's internal complaints process placed a “high value on confidentiality, as this helps protect everyone who participates”.
Asked whether Labour condoned the comments made towards a member of the disabled community by its disability sector chair, Salmond said every member of its party deserves respect.
“Labour does not condone any party member describing another member negatively in the media.'
Stuff also asked whether Labour stood by Stoneman remaining as chair of its disability sector.
“The party is engaged on this issue,” Salmond said.
“Labour is proud of the work our Kirk Disability Sector does inside the party to champion the rights and aspirations of people living with disabilities. Our team works to support everyone in the sector through any issues that may arise as it pursues this work,” he said.