“Today’s report from the State Services Commission shows Government departments colluded with private security firms working for oil and gas companies to spy on New Zealanders,” Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today.

“This must serve as a wake-up call for the Government and public sector about the dangers of contracting services from private firms with links to the oil and gas industry.

“The culture of collusion undermines our precious democracy, and we are especially concerned at the targeting of communities defending and protecting their local environment.

“We already know that big business has a heavy influence on politics through donations and corporate lobbying, but the collusion between Government departments and private security firms with links to the oil and gas industry is a shock that must lead to culture change from the top down.

“The fact that two of the agencies named in the report, MBIE and NZTA, were formerly the responsibility of current leader of the opposition Simon Bridges should give New Zealanders pause for thought.

“Our new Government is founded on being transformative and transparent. We must be clear that there is no room for pandering or collusion with vested interests in the oil and gas industry”.

© Scoop Media