The appointment of the former Inland Revenue Commissioner, David Henry to the position of Chief Electoral Officer has been described as a “sick joke” by the New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters.

Mr Henry was Commissioner of Inland Revenue at the time of the Winebox Inquiry into tax fraud.

“The Justice Department needs a good shake up if it believes that this is an appropriate appointment. Its claim that Mr Henry has a ‘real appreciation of the special constitutional position of a statutory officer’ is bureaucratic doublespeak.

“Those who remember Mr Henry’s performance during the Winebox Inquiry will, like me, have no confidence in this appointment which makes a mockery of accountability.

“Mr Henry has been placed in a position in which he can make decisions on New Zealand First, as a political party, and on electoral matters and I am most concerned about that.

“I intend to contact the State Services Commissioner to seek an explanation as to why this appointment was made,” said Mr Peters.

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