Andrew Bayly stands down as minister after putting hand on staffer

Andrew Bayly has stood down as a Government minister after an “animated discussion” with a staffer, during which he “placed a hand on their upper arm, which was inappropriate”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon accepted Bayly’s resignation and said the National MP indicated to him that “his actions fell short of the expectations he sets himself”.

Bayly spoke to media at 1:45pm this afternoon.

According to a timeline provided by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Bayly resigned on Friday night, meaning the resignation was kept secret for days.

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A statement from Bayly confirming he had resigned was issued before midday on Monday, saying “concerns have been raised with me about a recent incident in which my behaviour towards a staff member was overbearing and for that, I am deeply sorry”.

“As many of you know, I have been impatient to drive change in my ministerial portfolios. Last week I had an animated discussion with a staff member about work. I took the discussion too far, and I placed a hand on their upper arm, which was inappropriate.

“I have apologised to the staff member and regret placing them in an uncomfortable position.

“There are times when you have to hold yourself to account and today is one of those days. I have made the personal choice to resign as a minister and have offered my resignation to the Prime Minister, which he has accepted.

“I want to extend my gratitude to all the officials and staff who have worked diligently alongside me to progress a wide suite of changes across all my ministerial portfolios.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we have achieved together, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Port Waikato and being involved in the work of Parliament.”

According to a timeline provided by the PMO, the incident occurred last Tuesday. The PMO and Ministerial Services were alerted to the incident on Wednesday evening, and spent Thursday and Friday speaking with those involved.

Bayly resigned on Friday evening, but the public was not told until today.

The Port Waikato MP held the ACC and commerce and consumer affairs portfolios, and previously had the small business and manufacturing role until a reshuffle at the start of the year.

Luxon said he wanted to thank Bayly for his “hard work”.

“Mr Bayly’s resignation takes effect immediately. Scott Simpson will become Minister for ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs.”

Simpson, the Coromandel MP and current Chief Whip, said in a statement it was a privilege to be appointed.

“I’m excited by the opportunity that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has given me to take on these two new portfolio roles,” he said.

“I relish the chance to be a part of the broader coalition team that is working to get New Zealand’s economy growing and thriving again.”

Bayly, who has been an MP since 2014, apologised last year after it emerged a complaint had been made about his behaviour at a winery in Marlborough. It included that he had sworn at, ridiculed, and mocked a worker there, including by repeatedly calling the man a “loser” and telling him to “take some wine... and f*** off”.

Bayly admitted calling the worker a “loser” and pulling an “L” on his forehead but denied swearing or that he had been drinking before the interactions. He has acknowledged he took part in a small wine tasting, but after interacting with the worker.

He said at the time he had meant his actions in a light-hearted manner but he understood they had offended the worker. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the behaviour as disappointing but said he had got assurances it wouldn’t happen again.

An Official Information Request response to the Herald showed photos during Bayly’s Marlborough visit, including one showing Bayly drinking from a wine glass at what appears to be a wine tasting at the vineyard. No photos of Bayly making a “L” sign are included.

Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub Press Gallery office.