Darren Hughes
Encyclopedia
Darren Colyn Hughes was a New Zealand
Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party
and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand
.
In March 2011 Hughes resigned from Parliament after news of him being investigated by the police became public. A complaint of a sexual nature was laid against him by an 18-year-old male. After a lengthy police investigation, Hughes was not charged.
, St Josephs and then Horowhenua College in Levin
. While at school Hughes was involved in the school and wider community including a three year stint as Student Representative on the Board of Trustees.
In 1994 Hughes was a Youth MP. He was the first Youth MP to later be elected to Parliament.
Hughes attended Victoria University of Wellington
where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in public policy and social policy.
in the 2002 general election
, standing for the Labour Party
. For the next six years he was New Zealand's youngest MP. In 2005
he was re-elected with the country's smallest majority, 382.
and the decriminalisation of prostitution
, but against a Death with Dignity law
.
made him a Minister outside Cabinet with the Statistics
portfolio. He was also made the associate minister for Social Development and Employment. For a brief period he served as deputy Leader of the House
.
the National Party
defeated Labour. Hughes lost his Otaki seat to Nathan Guy
but, being listed by Labour at 19, returned to Parliament as a list MP. Opposition Leader Phil Goff
appointed him Transport Spokesperson. He was also made the opposition's senior whip.
On 15 June 2010, as part of a shadow-cabinet reshuffle, Hughes became the Spokesperson for Infrastructure. Later, he was also given the Education portfolio.
In 2010, Darren Hughes submitted a private members' bill to lower the drink driving limit to 0.06 (Its full name was the Land Transport (Safer Alcohol Limits for Driving) Amendment Bill). The bill was his response to an earlier government decision to not lower the limit. It was placed on the ballot in June, August and November, but not drawn.
replaced him as a Labour list MP.
On 8 June the Police confirmed that they would not lay any charges against Hughes.
Around two weeks earlier the police had received a complaint from an 18-year-old male who, like Hughes, was a former Youth MP. The incident was reported to be of a sexual nature and alleged to have occurred on the morning of 2 March at Labour Party deputy leader Annette King
's home, where Hughes lives. Witnesses reported seeing the complainant outside and naked that morning.
Hughes denied any wrongdoing but later offered to resign from Parliament. Labour leader Phil Goff
, who had known about the complaint for two weeks, initially refused the resignation but changed his mind a day later. Goff announced Hughes' resignation on 25 March 2011.
On the same day Hughes released another statement which in part said:
Speaker of the House Lockwood Smith
confirmed Hughes's resignation on 1 April and it took effect on 5 April 2011.
Over three months after the original incident, on 8 June, the Police announced that they did not have enough evidence to press charges against Hughes. They also revealed that an anonymous letter containing allegations against Hughes had been sent to "some media outlets". They had investigated these allegations but "there were no matters which arose that required police attention".
, David Shearer
and Rick Barker
. Moroney took over the education portfolio, with specific responsibility for primary and secondary schooling, and joined the party's front bench. Shearer took over the tertiary education portfolio and Barker became the new senior whip.
without a by-election. There were five people listed before Wall who could have taken the seat, but they all stood aside. (Wall, unlike the others, will stand for Labour in the 2011 election.) The five were all former MPs, listed at numbers 38-42: Judith Tizard
(number 38), Mark Burton
, Mahara Okeroa
, Martin Gallagher and Dave Hereora
(42).
With Hughes not running for re-election, Labour named Raumati lawyer Peter Foster as their Otaki electorate candidate for 2011.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand
Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand
The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand between 10 December 1999 and 19 November 2008.-Overview:The fourth National government, in power since 1990, was widely unpopular by 1999, with much of the public antagonised by a series of free-market economic reforms,...
.
In March 2011 Hughes resigned from Parliament after news of him being investigated by the police became public. A complaint of a sexual nature was laid against him by an 18-year-old male. After a lengthy police investigation, Hughes was not charged.
Early life and education
Darren Hughes is the eldest of five children in what he has called "a large extended Catholic family". He attended Coley Street Primary School in FoxtonFoxton, New Zealand
Foxton is a town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand. The 2006 census population was 2715.It is located on the lower west coast of the North Island, in the Horowhenua district, 30 kilometres southwest of Palmerston North and 15 kilometres north of Levin. The town is located close to the...
, St Josephs and then Horowhenua College in Levin
Levin, New Zealand
Levin is a town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand, and is the largest town in the Horowhenua district. It is 90 kilometres north of Wellington, 50 kilometres south of Palmerston North, and two kilometres to the east of Lake Horowhenua....
. While at school Hughes was involved in the school and wider community including a three year stint as Student Representative on the Board of Trustees.
In 1994 Hughes was a Youth MP. He was the first Youth MP to later be elected to Parliament.
Hughes attended Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in public policy and social policy.
In government (2002-2008)
Hughes was elected to parliament as member for OtakiOtaki (New Zealand electorate)
Ōtaki is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, spanning part of the coast of the lower North Island. The bulk of its population comes from the Horowhenua district, but it also takes in part of the northern Kapiti Coast, including the towns of Otaki and Waikanae, and part of Paraparaumu. The...
in the 2002 general election
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
, standing for the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
. For the next six years he was New Zealand's youngest MP. In 2005
New Zealand general election, 2005
The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
he was re-elected with the country's smallest majority, 382.
Voting record
Hughes voted in favour of a law allowing same sex civil unionsCivil unions in New Zealand
Civil union has been legal in New Zealand since 26 April 2005. The Civil Union Act to establish the institution of civil union for same-sex and opposite-sex couples was passed by the Parliament on 9 December 2004. The Act has been described as very similar to the Marriage Act with references to...
and the decriminalisation of prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, but against a Death with Dignity law
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
.
Party responsibilities and ministerial positions
Hughes was his party's junior whip and a Member of the Officers of Parliament Select Committee. In November 2007, as a part of the fifth Labour government's final reshuffle, Prime Minister Helen ClarkHelen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
made him a Minister outside Cabinet with the Statistics
Statistics New Zealand
Statistics New Zealand is the national statistical office of New Zealand.-Organisation:New Zealand's Minister of Statistics is Maurice Williamson who serves as a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and holds several other posts within government...
portfolio. He was also made the associate minister for Social Development and Employment. For a brief period he served as deputy Leader of the House
Leader of the House
There are several offices titled Leader of the House:* Leader of the House in the Australian Parliament* Leader of the House in the Parliament of Singapore* Leader of the House in the Parliament of Sri Lanka...
.
In opposition (2008-2011)
In the 2008 general electionNew Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
defeated Labour. Hughes lost his Otaki seat to Nathan Guy
Nathan Guy
Nathan Guy is a New Zealand politician, and currently serves as a member of Parliament representing the National Party.-Background:...
but, being listed by Labour at 19, returned to Parliament as a list MP. Opposition Leader Phil Goff
Phil Goff
Philip Bruce Goff is the current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. During the Fifth Labour Government, he served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and...
appointed him Transport Spokesperson. He was also made the opposition's senior whip.
On 15 June 2010, as part of a shadow-cabinet reshuffle, Hughes became the Spokesperson for Infrastructure. Later, he was also given the Education portfolio.
In 2010, Darren Hughes submitted a private members' bill to lower the drink driving limit to 0.06 (Its full name was the Land Transport (Safer Alcohol Limits for Driving) Amendment Bill). The bill was his response to an earlier government decision to not lower the limit. It was placed on the ballot in June, August and November, but not drawn.
Police investigation and resignation
Hughes's time as an MP ended abruptly in March 2011 after a young man laid a police complaint of a sexual nature against him. The complaint concerned events that occurred on 2 March. Shortly after the complaint became public, and while the police were still investigating, Hughes resigned from Parliament. His resignation was announced on 25 March and effective from 5 April. Louisa WallLouisa Wall
Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :...
replaced him as a Labour list MP.
On 8 June the Police confirmed that they would not lay any charges against Hughes.
Sequence of events
On 23 March 2011 Hughes confirmed that he was "being investigated by police after an alleged late night incident." This announcement was designed to end speculation surrounding his Labour party colleagues.Around two weeks earlier the police had received a complaint from an 18-year-old male who, like Hughes, was a former Youth MP. The incident was reported to be of a sexual nature and alleged to have occurred on the morning of 2 March at Labour Party deputy leader Annette King
Annette King
Annette Faye King is a New Zealand politician. She is the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand. She was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:...
's home, where Hughes lives. Witnesses reported seeing the complainant outside and naked that morning.
Hughes denied any wrongdoing but later offered to resign from Parliament. Labour leader Phil Goff
Phil Goff
Philip Bruce Goff is the current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. During the Fifth Labour Government, he served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and...
, who had known about the complaint for two weeks, initially refused the resignation but changed his mind a day later. Goff announced Hughes' resignation on 25 March 2011.
On the same day Hughes released another statement which in part said:
My position as an MP has become untenable. In order to be able to exercise my basic rights as a citizen, it is necessary for me to resign as a Member of Parliament. I have informed Phil Goff of my decision.
Although people are commonly thought to be innocent until proven guilty
Presumption of innocenceThe presumption of innocence, sometimes referred to by the Latin expression Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat, is the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty. Application of this principle is a legal right of the accused in a criminal trial, recognised in many...
, it has become clear to me that this doesn't apply in the political arena.
I have done nothing wrong, and I remain confident that the legal process will have the right outcome.
My immediate focus is on clearing my name. I will continue to co-operate fully with the police inquiry[...].
Speaker of the House Lockwood Smith
Lockwood Smith
Alexander Lockwood Smith is a New Zealand politician, the 28th and current Speaker of the House of Representatives. Smith is a member of the New Zealand National Party, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 1984...
confirmed Hughes's resignation on 1 April and it took effect on 5 April 2011.
Over three months after the original incident, on 8 June, the Police announced that they did not have enough evidence to press charges against Hughes. They also revealed that an anonymous letter containing allegations against Hughes had been sent to "some media outlets". They had investigated these allegations but "there were no matters which arose that required police attention".
Reallocation of portfolios
The roles that Hughes had filled for the Labour opposition went to Sue MoroneySue Moroney
Suzanne Mary Moroney , generally known as Sue Moroney, is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and was first elected at the 2005 general election. She is based in Hamilton, New Zealand.-Early life:...
, David Shearer
David Shearer
David James Shearer, MBE is a humanitarian worker and politician from New Zealand. He won the Mount Albert by-election on 13 June 2009 to become a Member of the Parliament of New Zealand for the Labour Party...
and Rick Barker
Rick Barker
Richard John Barker is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and was a middle-ranking Cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:...
. Moroney took over the education portfolio, with specific responsibility for primary and secondary schooling, and joined the party's front bench. Shearer took over the tertiary education portfolio and Barker became the new senior whip.
Replacement by Louisa Wall (as MP) and Peter Foster (as Otaki candidate)
Because he'd been elected through the party list rather than by an electorate, Hughes' seat passed down Labour's party list to Louisa WallLouisa Wall
Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :...
without a by-election. There were five people listed before Wall who could have taken the seat, but they all stood aside. (Wall, unlike the others, will stand for Labour in the 2011 election.) The five were all former MPs, listed at numbers 38-42: Judith Tizard
Judith Tizard
Judith Tizard is a former New Zealand politician. She was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Judith Ngaire Tizard was born in Auckland in 1956...
(number 38), Mark Burton
Mark Burton
Richard Mark Burton is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Defence; Minister of Justice; Minister of Local Government; Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; Deputy Leader of the House; and the Minister Responsible for the Law...
, Mahara Okeroa
Mahara Okeroa
The New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.- Career :...
, Martin Gallagher and Dave Hereora
Dave Hereora
Dave Hereora is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Hereora was born in 1956. He was a worker at Affco Meatworks and became a trade union organiser.-Political career:...
(42).
With Hughes not running for re-election, Labour named Raumati lawyer Peter Foster as their Otaki electorate candidate for 2011.