By Political Editor Maiki Sherman and Political Producer Tom Day
Government minister Erica Stanford has accepted multiple meeting requests through her personal email in what appears to be a possible breach of the Cabinet manual.
The revelation comes as part of the release of hundreds of documents showing Stanford using her personal email for parliamentary business.
Section 2.86 of the Cabinet manual says: “As far as possible, Ministers should not use their personal email account or phone number to conduct ministerial business.”
Stanford has declared the meetings arranged via her private email in the ministerial diary as she is required to do.
The revelation comes as part of the release of hundreds of documents showing Stanford using her personal email for parliamentary business. (Source: 1News)
Earlier today she described her use of her personal email, revealed by 1News yesterday, as “untidy” but said the situation had now been “sorted”.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said he is “very relaxed” about the situation, but Labour leader Chris Hipkins has described it as “like hanging up a great big welcome sign” to overseas actors trying to hack into New Zealand’s communications networks.
The documents released under an Official Information Act request show Stanford accepted meetings with a number of organisations, including Microsoft, Crimson Global Academy and a school, through her Gmail account.
Andrew Geddis, Otago University professor and legal expert, has said the Cabinet manual makes clear personal email should only be used when it is unavoidable.
He added: “What it looks like on the surface, subject to a further explanation, is that the minister has found it easier and more convenient to move her official business onto a private Gmail account.
“It’s probably less cluttered, probably makes it easier for her to work through emails, but her doing so doesn’t really seem to meet the reasons given in the Cabinet manual as to why you can do this.”
The meetings accepted by Stanford via her Gmail account:
Microsoft
In October last year, Stanford received an email to her personal email titled “Accelerating AI in Education” from someone at Microsoft which said: “I’ve been really impressed with the incredible work you’re doing and the progress you’re making.
“Given the critical need to advance education in Aotearoa, I truly believe technology is the key to accelerating progress. I’d love to arrange 30 minutes with you.” They then propose doing a meeting via Teams or in person.
Ten days later on October 20, Stanford emails back from her personal account saying: “Hi [redacted], I’d love to catch up. I’ve copied in my [redacted] to this email. We need to plan a trip to Auckland to do a few meetings and would love to see you to discuss AI. When we have a date locked in we will let you know.”
Stanford’s office said she eventually met with Microsoft’s New Zealand managing director Vanessa Sorenson on April 11, but that the meeting was about a different subject and not AI. They said this will be logged in the April ministerial diary when it is released.
Crimson Global Academy
Crimson Global Academy is an online school providing a range of internationally accredited courses, helping New Zealand students get into universities such as Harvard and Oxford.
It has received funds from the Government’s private school subsidy funding pool through the Ministry of Education subsidy.
On October 21 last year, Stanford received a private email from someone at Crimson Global Academy titled “Time to Meet”. It said: “Hi Erica, Lovely to connect. It would be great to catch up in the next couple of weeks if you have time. I am based in Auckland CBD.”
Stanford replied back on October 25 via her personal email saying: “My SPS will be in touch, but she’s just away from the office for a few days leave.”
On November 8, the Crimson staff member emailed Stanford’s personal email again, saying: “I hope you’ve had a good week. I still haven’t heard from your SPS in regards to connecting with our [redacted].”
Stanford appears to not respond to this.
On November 22, the Crimson staff member emails Stanford’s personal email again saying: “I still haven’t heard from your SPS.” Stanford then emails her own staffer on that day from her personal email forwarding on the Crimson staffer’s email saying: “This was the email I forgot to send you, I’m so sorry.”
Stanford’s ministerial diary shows that she met with Crimson Global Academy CEO Penelope Barton on December 6.
School block opening
On June 21 last year, Stanford received an email to her personal account inviting her to a classroom block opening at Albany Primary School. It said: “We would be honoured to have you attend the official opening of our new block (see invitation below).”
Stanford replied back the morning after via her personal email saying: “I’d love to! I’ve asked for it to go in the diary and to ask for leave from Wellington. My office will confirm with you.”
Stanford received back a response less than 20 minutes later saying: “That is fantastic news. Thank you so much for getting back to us so quickly. Our community will be so delighted to have you attend.”
Stanford’s Facebook account showed she attended that block opening on August 1 of last year.
