New Zealand Prime Minister Faces Scandal Over Aide's Inexcusable Actions

The recent scandal surrounding Michael Forbes, deputy chief press secretary to New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, has ignited widespread outrage after accusations surfaced claiming that he secretly recorded women while violating their privacy.

Michael Forbes resigned following allegations that he secretly photographed and recorded audio of women, including sex workers. The incident was revealed when a sex worker discovered Forbes’ phone was documenting audio while he was in the shower, as reported by local news outlet, Stuff. Upon examining the phone, more evidence emerged, including photographs of women in public places, such as gyms and supermarkets, and private videos taken through windows at their homes.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his shock at the allegations, reaffirming his "zero tolerance" stance against any behavior that puts women or any individual in a position of discomfort or danger. He extended sympathy to the women impacted by Forbes' actions while emphasizing the need for policy revisions to enhance privacy laws and protect potential victims of voyeurism.

The police were first alerted to allegations regarding Forbes in July 2024, stemming from complaints made by a Wellington brothel concerning photos discovered on a client’s phone. However, authorities determined that the evidence did not warrant criminal prosecution. It was in that same time frame that the encounter with the sex worker occurred, where Forbes reportedly disclosed his phone password, allowing her and fellow workers to uncover multiple illicit recordings stored on the device.

Forbes, who previously managed communications for social development minister Louise Upston, acknowledged his lapses in judgment, attributing his actions to personal trauma and stress he was experiencing. Despite seeking professional help since the incident, he admitted to failing to make a proper apology at the time.

In response to the scandal, Prime Minister Luxon has called for a comprehensive review of collaboration between agencies to assess how such an incident could occur without ministerial awareness. "We have to take this incident seriously and understand the circumstances that led to it, exploring preventative measures going forward," Luxon concluded, shedding light on the urgency of reforms within New Zealand's privacy legislation.