The resignation yesterday of Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson as a minister should be seen as a warning for all members of Parliament as they go about their business.
There is a fine line between working on behalf of a constituent and intervening on behalf of a rich benefactor to the party. Mr Williamson gained a global following last year after his speech in Parliament in defence of same-sex marriages went viral.
''The Big Gay Rainbow'' speech was followed by an invitation to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres show in the United States, which he eventually turned down.
Such was his popularity in Auckland, it was suggested he run for the mayoralty against incumbent Len Brown. Again he opted out.
Prime Minister John Key felt he had no option in the matter when he learned yesterday about the call to the police Mr Williamson made on behalf rich Chinese businessman and National Party backer Donghua Liu.
Mr Key said the call crossed the line. Mr Williamson said he was approached late in January and made aware a Chinese businessman, who had been granted residency by Labour, and who he helped get citizenship, had been involved in a domestic dispute in early December.
When he made inquiries with his associates, it became clear there was confusion about whether a prosecution would proceed. Mr Williamson offered to call the police and clarify the status of the matter.
While stressing he made it clear he was not trying to force a decision, it appears the perception was of Mr Williamson trying to influence the police.
Labour Party leader David Cunliffe and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters were fast to react to the resignation with Mr Cunliffe calling for higher standards for ministers.
National ministers, according to Mr Cunliffe, seemed to believe they did not have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
Mr Peters, who was stood down by former prime minister Helen Clark over a funding inquiry, linked the behaviour of Mr Williamson to Justice Minister Judith Collins, who has survived Opposition questions in the House regarding her level of support for Oravida, the company in which her husband is involved.
Before Messrs Cunliffe and Peters get too involved, the public are still awaiting the identities of the two yet unnamed contributors to Mr Cunliffe's Labour leadership campaign. And Mr Peters still has questions to answer regarding money NZ First received from billionaire Owen Glenn.
United Future leader Peter Dunne was stood down as a minister under suspicion of leaking confidential details to a journalist and Act leader, and former minister, John Banks is facing court action later this year. Labour, as a party, is not exempt from having past ministers resign under the cloud of scandal.
New Zealand does need higher standards from its ministers but Mr Williamson may be paying a higher price than many may think is necessary.
History books will show he is not the first MP to go into bat for a constituent, wealthy or not, and if this was not an election year, would Mr Key be so quick to force the resignation?
And will the resignation as a minister give rise to a job offer Mr Williamson cannot refuse - perhaps overseas - opening the door for Conservative Party leader Colin Craig to enter Parliament as the MP for Pakuranga. Mr Williamson indicated he will stand again this year, but a week is a long time in politics.
New MPs enter Parliament ready to change the world but soon find the daily grind of a backbencher is compensated by being feted by people wanting something.
Increased attention can be a dangerous motivation - because often it can move to a sense of entitlement.
This entitlement is not restricted to any one party. It can become endemic if left unchecked. Mr Key has shown a strong streak in dealing with errant ministers and for that he should be applauded.
Mr Williamson's resignation as a minister must be seen as a salutary lesson by his fellow MPs. Adopting a holier-than-thou attitude will do no good at all.
Public service is to be admired, as long as the boundaries are observed.
