Christopher Luxon needs to explain whether his Education Minister’s office encouraged public servants to circumvent the Official Information Act.

“The leaked video raises serious questions about instructions given to Ministry of Education staff to keep political matters out of emails and avoid OIA scrutiny, following conversations with Erica Stanford’s office,” Labour education spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

“Did the Minister’s office instruct public servants to keep political matters off emails, were OIA obligations circumvented, and does Christopher Luxon condone this behaviour?

“This is not how a transparent government should operate, and the Prime Minister cannot simply brush it aside.

“After the scrutiny already facing his own office over lobbying and hidden documents, Luxon needs to explain why New Zealanders should trust his Government to be open and accountable.

“Parents and teachers deserve better than political interference and secrecy when it comes to our children’s education.

“Labour will call for a Public Service Commission investigation into these allegations. Any breach of public service obligations must be properly investigated, and the public deserves answers.

“Christopher Luxon needs to hold his Ministers to account,” Ginny Andersen said.