The National Crisis Management Centre rushed to make changes to one of its social media pages following concerns about political neutrality.
National Party campaign chair Gerry Brownlee. Photo: RNZ
National Party campaign chair Gerry Brownlee wrote to the State Services Commission on Friday about the Unite for Recovery Instagram page following just one account - Jacinda Ardern's.
Brownlee said taxpayers deserved a good answer as to why the Instagram page, which is staffed by public servants and expected to be neutral, was following the prime minister's.
"Why is the newly re-branded Unite for Recovery Instagram page - run by the neutral National Crisis Management Centre - effectively promoting Jacinda Ardern's campaign Instagram page?"
State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
In a letter responding to Brownlee, State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes said he had spoken to Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet chief executive Brook Barrington, who said Ardern's account was unfollowed as soon as he became aware of the matter.
"He has established that the original decision to follow Ms Ardern's account was made within the National Crisis Management Centre and without thought for the possibility of the interpretation you have placed on it," he wrote.
Hughes said he supported the action taken by Barrington.
"I also note that he has taken action to raise decision making levels within the National Crisis Management Centre and is reinforcing the principle of political neutrality and its importance with his staff," he said.
Hughes said he would ask chief executives to take closer oversight of the use of social media in their agencies, particularly through the election period.
