Tory Whanau calls for David Seymour council ‘harassment’ investigation

Monday, 23 June 2025

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, calling for an official investigation after acting Prime Minister David Seymour compared Christchurch council staff to Vladimir Putin.

Seymour last week slammed Christchurch City Council staff, likening them to Russia’s authoritarian leader and accusing them of bullying the mayor into criticising the Regulatory Standards Bill.

Separately, he named Auckland University academic Dame Anne Salmond the “Victim of the Day” after she opposed his his Regulatory Standards Bill. He also said Auckland University associate professor George Laking had “Regulatory Standards Derangement Syndrome” after he also opposed the bill.

Whanau on Monday wrote to Luxon criticising the comments and calling for an investigation.

“This deliberate targeting of academics and the exposure of Christchurch Council staff to ridicule by comparing them to Russian President Vladimir Putin, following their opinions on the Regulatory Standards Bill, appears to be a direct breach of the Cabinet Manual’s standards of conduct,” she said.

“It’s a blatant attempt to stifle academic freedom and any dissenting opinion.

“For the Deputy Prime Minister to lead this online harassment campaign is quite concerning, as such actions could incite behaviour that spills into real-world violence. This is irresponsible and a clear breach of public trust. We expect our leaders to keep us safe, not throw us into harm’s way.”

The comments breached the Cabinet Manual, Whanau believed, and Luxon should “immediately” investigate.

Christchurch City Council chief executive Mary Richardson last week said Seymour’s comments were “unfortunate”. The council had considered its submission and lodged it in good faith, “expecting that council was participating in a democratic process where opinions are invited and respected”.

David Seymour, currently acting prime minister while Luxon is out of the country, said there had been no breach of the Cabinet manual.

“Tory Whanau is accusing me of inappropriate behaviour? I’ve heard it all,” he said at a press conference at Parliament on Monday afternoon. “If people want to go out and make completely incorrect statements then I’m going to get a bit playful and have some fun.”

He added: “I mean, I could say other things about them … I’m being a bit playful saying the only reason I can think of for all these totally factually incorrect statements about the Regulatory Standards Bill is that there’s some sort of sinister syndrome out there.”

The Prime Minister’s office has been approached for comment.