Radio New Zealand (RNZ) has released a full transcript of the speech former Labour Minister Kiri Allan made at the state broadcaster's farewell event for her ex-partner after a decision released by the Ombudsman.
Allan, who was a minister at the time, criticised RNZ's culture and treatment of Māori staff during a farewell event for her then-fiancée Māni Dunlop.
Allan later apologized for the comments, admitting while she was speaking in a personal capacity, it could have been interpreted as her telling the state broadcaster how to manage its staff or company.
However, the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier began an investigation after receiving three separate complaints about RNZ's decision to refuse Official Information Act requests for audio recordings or transcripts of Allan's speech.
While Allan said she was happy for the speech to be made public, RNZ refused the request on the basis of privacy and to protect "the tikanga of RNZ and its kaimahi". However, it released parts of a transcript of the speech for public interest reasons.
Boshier decided on Tuesday that on the basis that Allan and Dunlop supported the release, the state broadcaster should release a full transcript of the speech to the complainants while withholding the names of the third parties Allan referred to, within 21 working days.
Later that same day, RNZ released the script.
Allan started saying "I'm a partner noa iho, so this is off the record" and then reiterated her speech was in her "personal capacity".
She spoke about Dunlop's passion and deep belief in the role of public broadcasting but criticised RNZ for its treatment of Māori talent.
Dunlop resigned after the Morning Report co-host job she was vying for was given to Ingrid Hipkiss.
"I'm a fighter and a scrapper, and that might colour some of my remarks that I make today. And I say this - I say the things that I'm about to as Māni's partner because I think sometimes these things just need to be said," Allan said.
Allan mentioned a woman, who has been kept anonymous, who spoke out at the Taumata Korero forum after it was apparent Dunlop was leaving, demanding why this "incredible talent" was not staying in this organization.
"What had that organisation done to not keep this talent? You don't hear people in the Taumata Korero environment at Waitangi begging for some mainstream lady broadcaster to be kept in the [rock]. That is the mana that Mani has, in and of her own 31-year-old right that she has accrued," Allan said.
Allan later added "there's something within this organisation that has to be looked at", in response to the loss of Māori talent.
"Now, I know you said that you'll pick the wero, that manuka. It's not for just you, it's the SLT to pick up. It's all your SLT to pick up, that's for your board to pick up. But there's something within the organisation that will not and has not been able to keep Māori talent, and that's a question that I think deserves some deep reflection," Allan said.
"We do, though, I called them the morehu, and I was being a bit cheeky. Morehu means survivor. You've got two young Māori that are going to be left on their own here pretty soon. One's an intern and one's just finished...
"We're looking at these two and we're looking at this organisation and how it treats its talent. Want to know, she doesn't need to do it. It's not her role to carry that anymore. So, it's to this room and the people within this place to grow and nurture, show that they have a viable future within this organisation.
"That you can come in as an intern and that you can get to the top spot - not just because you're a Māori, but because you have trained them well, you have nurtured them well. Anei, koina te mauiui ki a koutou.
"I was supposed to say something nice, but don't feel that life right here and now."
In July, Allan, the former justice minister, stepped down from all of her portfolios effective immediately and announced she would not seek re-election for her East Coast electorate. It came after she was charged with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer. An infringement notice was also issued for excess breath alcohol between 250 and 400mcg.
