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Netsafe investigating Facebook page pretending to be New Zealand First MP Tanya Unkovich
Anneke Smith, Political reporter
New Zealand First MP Tanya Unkovich says Netsafe is investigating a fake Facebook account purporting to be her.
The account, that looks near identical to Unkovich's official page, sent messages to a member of the public about Unkovich's bathroom bill.
According to New Zealand First, "the 'Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill' will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms".
The person - Wren - had sent the fake account an open letter outlining their opposition to the legislation.
The fake account responded, including suggesting transgender people are "mentally ill" and "need to go to the hospital for brain checks".
Unkovich has since posted on X saying she had previously reported a fake account on Facebook that had been impersonating her.
"Currently this is now in the hands of Netsafe who are assisting in getting the duplicate account removed and hopefully tracking down the source," she told RNZ.
A spokesperson for Netsafe said it could not comment on individual cases without permission by the individual involved.
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