The ACT Party says "get with the programme or get out" after a well-known Pasifika health leader resigned from almost all his government advisory roles.
Sir Collin Tukuitonga quit as chair of Te Whatu Ora Pacific Senate, among other roles, just a week after the new Government was officially sworn-in.
He told RNZ Pacific on Monday "I really don't want to work for this Government. I have no confidence".
Sir Collin, who also holds the role of Associate Dean Pacific at Waipapa Taumata Rau / University of Auckland, told RNZ Pacific he was appalled at the Government's changes to smoke-free laws, to partially fund tax cuts.
"They are not going to treat Pacific people well and I want to be free to speak up and speak out."
On Tuesday, ACT's health and public service spokesperson Todd Stephenson said in a statement that while the party thanks Sir Collin for his service, public servants need to "get with the programme or get out".
"ACT welcomes the resignation of any public officials who can't bring themselves to implement the programme outlined by the elected Government," he wrote.
"If someone believes they can't do that because of their personal political beliefs - including the belief that some ethnic groups should be treated differently by the government simply because of their race - they should resign.
"It's in no one's interest to have top public advisors glumly going through the motions in high-paid positions when potential champions for service delivery would jump at the chance to fill those roles."
Sir Collin declined to comment on Tuesday when Newshub asked him about ACT's statement.
