New Zealand to assess progress vs workplace bullying in parliament

By: 2 years ago

A view shows the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament complex, popularly known as “Beehive” because of the building’s shape, in Wellington, New Zealand July 23, 2020. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

WELLINGTON — The New Zealand government said on Friday it would commission an independent review to assess parliament’s workplace culture after a study three years ago found widespread bullying and harassment.

A 2019 report uncovered systemic harmful behavior in New Zealand’s parliament, including by and between staff, managers, members of parliament, the media and the public.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe said in a statement he believed the parliamentary workplace had improved over the past three years, and had commissioned the author of the 2019 study to review its progress.

“It is important that we take stock, as an institution, of the effectiveness of that work,” said Rurawhe.

In August, a member of parliament from the ruling Labor Party accused other lawmakers from the party of bullying. Labour has denied the accusations and the member of parliament has been suspended.

Rurawhe said the review would catalogue gains made to date as well as areas where there was still room for improvement.