'So, so sorry': Kiri Allan breaks silence, rules out election bid

Conservation Minister Kiri Allan announced the changes today. Photo: RNZ
Kiri Allan: "I have let my electorate down, my party down, and all those that relied on me.” Photo: RNZ
Kiri Allan will not be contesting this year’s election so she can heal and “chart a new course” for her life following her mental health struggles that led to her crashing her car in Wellington on Sunday.

In a social media post, Allan apologised to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and to her Labour Party members for her actions.

“To the Prime Minister - I have undermined you and the trust you placed in me to do an important job for New Zealand. I cannot express the remorse I feel. I am so, so sorry,” she wrote.

“Second, to my colleagues and party members. I can’t describe how full of anger towards myself for letting you all down.

“Many people have placed their trust and confidence in me as a political leader. I have failed all those that put their trust and confidence in me. I have let my electorate down, my party down, and all those that relied on me.”

Allan confirmed she would not contest the East Coast electorate she won in 2020, but did not rule out a return to politics.

“For now, it’s time to step out of the arena. I'm not sure how long for, or if I’ll return, but my focus is now on trying to find a different kind of strength to serve our people and our place.”

She also sent a message of gratitude to the people of the East Coast, thanking them for their support.

“I will continue to serve you as a MP until October and my offices are open with our arms wide open. I tried to dare greatly, my face marred by dust and sweat and blood and I hope that there were benefits for the people and places I represented by being in the arena. I erred, many times, and kept trying to battle for our people that needed the most."

Allan resigned all her portfolios, including justice, on Monday after being arrested by police overnight on Sunday.

She has been charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer, following a car crash in Evans Bay Parade in the suburb of Roseneath.

She was also issued an infringement notice for having excess breath alcohol between 250 and 400mcg. The legal limit for a person aged 20 years and over is 250mcg. 

Following the crash, Kiri Allan's car could be seen in the middle of the road. Photo: Supplied
Following the crash, Kiri Allan's car could be seen in the middle of the road. Photo: Supplied
It emerged today that Allan's crash occurred directly outside the home of a senior Ministry of Justice official.  The home is owned by the ministry adviser and her husband, property records show. The New Zealand Herald has been unable to contact anyone at the address for comment.

A black ute that had been damaged in the crash was no longer parked on the street this morning. It is not clear whether the ministry official and her family own the vehicle.

Allan has openly struggled with mental health this year. She took mental health leave and returned from that leave only last week.

It comes after senior Cabinet Minister and Labour Māori caucus co-chair Willie Jackson said he did not think Allan should stand at the general election, to be held on October 14, saying she was not in a good place.

He added that Allan’s deterioration might not have occurred had he been in Wellington on Sunday night.

“She wasn’t good, she wasn’t good bro. If I’d been in Wellington it might not have happened. She rang me about six o’clock, four hours before it all went wrong."

Willie Jackson. Photo: RNZ
Willie Jackson said both he and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins were unsure about Kiri Allan returning to work, but Allan was adamant she could return. Photo: RNZ
Jackson said he did not send anyone to be with Allan after their conversation, “because you can have a good korero with her - start off in a crazy sort of mode and then end up falling over and laughing, you know, which is where we were at on Sunday.

“Then, of course, it all fell apart."

Heading into Labour’s weekly caucus meeting, Jackson said Allan should not stand at the election, although it was ultimately her call.

“I don’t think she should stand at all. I think she needs to have a time out and come back another day. She needs to get out of here and get away from politics when you stay away from politics."

Jackson said that both he and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins were unsure about Allan returning to work, but Allan was adamant she could return.

“The Prime Minister and them, they really didn’t want her to come back. They were really worried, but my view was well, she seemed to be 100 per cent on form,” Jackson said.

“We were all not so sure about her coming back to work, but she was adamant, she wanted to come back - she was very clear. There was respect for her in terms of coming back. You know, we all had our doubts but in the end she made it clear she wanted to come back."

Jackson believed Allan had performed brilliantly in her week back.

“She came back, she performed, she was fantastic. We had a lot of laughs and then she went down again. She’s passionate, she’s, she’s a beautiful person Kiri but she’s just, she’s sick and, and she needs that support."

Hipkins said today that Allan would not serve as a minister again.

“I think given everything that has happened and particularly the offending over the weekend was serious and should be taken seriously."

MPs grappling with mental health got second chances, but that the circumstances of Allan’s situation made a return untenable, he said. 

“There’s other issues involved, including potential criminal offending."

Todd Muller said he hoped to give the National Party and local branches ample time to find their...
Former National leader Todd Muller. Photo: RNZ
Former National leader Todd Muller, who has been open about the toll mental health can take on politicians, said that the question of a second chance was one for Labour.

“But certainly in my life - actually beyond just the mental health challenges - I’ve had a number of second chances in my life and, I suspect you all have too.

“What people look for I think is integrity that you are open about what you’ve done and not done and how you seek to improve yourself day by day,” the Bay of Plenty MP said. 

Muller said he got on well with Allan personally.

“I have a lot of time for Kiri personally - whether this is a path for her in the future that’s up to her. I just hope she’s surrounded by love and can heal because this takes time."

Muller spent 53 days as National Party leader in 2020, having spearheaded a coup against former leader and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

But a breakdown forced him out of the role, throwing the party into turmoil just months before the 2020 general election. 

In March this year, the 54-year-old announced he was retiring from politics.