New Zealand health minister resigns after breaking coronavirus lockdown measures despite countries virus success
NEW Zealand’s Health Minister has resigned after a number of blunders relating to the country’s coronavirus lockdown rules.
David Clark, 47, stepped down from his role after he was spotted on a mountain-biking trip during lockdown, admitted driving his family 12 miles for a walk on the beach and last week caused outrage by blaming a popular health official for lapses in testing.
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Clark said in a statement it had “become increasingly clear to me that my continuation in the role is distracting from the government’s overall response to Covid-19”.
He had been stripped of some his responsibilities in April after defying a strict lockdown to go mountain bike riding near his Dunedin home.
He was caught out after he got out of a van with his own face on it in a nearby car park.
Clark then admitted he had also driven 12 miles to a beach to go for a walk with his family while the government was asking people to stay at home as the coronavirus swept the country.
He said at the time: “I’ve been an idiot, and I understand why people will be angry with me.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the time that she would normally have fired him but the country could not afford huge disruption as the pandemic took hold.
In his most recent blunder Clark appeared to blame the director-general of health, Ashley Bloomfield, for allowing some returning travellers to leave quarantine without being tested.
I’ve been an idiot
David Clark in his resignation speech
Clark said last week: “The director-general has accepted that protocols weren’t being followed, he has accepted responsibility for that.”
Clark backtracked on his comments during his resignation, saying he had a “warm” relationship with Bloomfield and singled him out for praise.
“He is an exceptional public servant,” Clark told reporters.
“Thank you Ashley and your team for the extraordinary work you have done for our country during our most serious health crisis in a century.”
Clark added: “New Zealand’s Covid response is simply too important … so I’ve made the call that it is best for me to stand aside.
“It’s no secret health is a challenging portfolio. I have given it my all.”
Ardern denied she had leaned on Clark to resign but admitted his presence in her administration had been a “distraction”.
She said: “Last week I had discussions with Dr Clark. We talked about how important the Covid response was and the need for that to be the primary focus as a government.
“He reached the conclusion his ongoing presence in the health role was causing too much distraction.
“It was his view that he needed to go.”
Clark said on Thursday he intends to remain in parliament as a backbencher.
Ardern has appointed Chris Hipkins as his replacement until a September election is held.
New Zealand closed its borders on March 19 after it confirmed its first case on February 26.
Gatherings of more than 100 people were banned from March 19 with schools, bars and restaurants forced to close from March 24.
Ardern announced a total Level 4 lockdown from March 26, at which point there were 363 confirmed cases.
New Zealanders were only allowed out of their homes for health reasons or to go to the supermarket.
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The country has since moved to its lowest Alert Level 1, with minimal restrictions on public life – but strict controls are still in place at the border.
The country has recorded 1,528 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases and 22 people have died.
Last month, Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and the nation was declared virus free.
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