A call by Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon for Poto Williams to be replaced as police minister has come to fruition.
On June 8 Luxon publicly released a statement about Williams’ performance saying it’s “clear she’s not equipped” for the role.
It came amid escalating tensions between several gangs in Auckland and a spate of ram-raid burglaries of commercial retail premises across the city.
“Poto Williams may have skills better suited to other portfolios, but it is clear she is not equipped to be police minister, especially at a time when gang activity and violent crime are increasing,” Luxon said.
“Police officers across the country tell me there is a serious lack of leadership from Poto Williams, and they simply do not have confidence in her.
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should replace her immediately.”
Luxon said many Kiwis will feel less safe in their homes and communities after the recent spate of gang-related shootings and the “rise in violent crime”.
“Police have the capability and determination to combat the problem, but the Government has failed to give police the powers and tools they need to combat the increase in gang tensions and violent crime across New Zealand.
“We need to empower police to combat rising crime, but … Poto Williams won’t even acknowledge there has been a rise in gang tensions under her watch.
“The prime minister needs to remove her from the portfolio.”
On June 13 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed she was doing just that as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.
Ardern says she’s made the decision to change Williams out of the police portfolio.
Williams is being replaced by Chris Hipkins, who has served this Parliamentary term as the Minister of Education and Covid-19 Response.
“We both share the view that at this time it’s critical our focus is on supporting the police, implementing our record investment in the front line, passing our further gun law reforms and developing additional measures to deal with the current escalation in gang tensions and violence,” Ardern says.
Williams will serve as Minister of Conservation and Disability Issues.
