Episode description
Episode description
In today's Focus on Politics podcast Political Reporter Katie Scotcher examines one of the fastest political downfalls in New Zealand's history.
"It's been immensely frustrating as a distraction, but it's important that it's fronted and it's important that we confront it," - National Party leader Christopher Luxon
National's brand-new Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell has his political career hanging in the balance - but the rapid fall from grace has led to further accusations of bullying across the aisle.
Listen to the full podcast here
Sworn in at Parliament just the previous week, Uffindell's chances of remaining in the longer term are growing slim.
On Monday, Stuff revealed his fifth-form expulsion from King's College in Auckland for viciously beating a younger student late at night. Uffindell admitted the incident, describing it as the "stupidest thing he'd ever done" and while "by far the worst" incident he had been involved in, he had been a thug and a bully who had hurt other students too.
He told reporters he'd matured in the years since and had worked hard to be a better person, and contacted the victim - in July last year, more than two decades later - to apologise.
Nine months after that apology he was seeking a seat at Parliament, chosen from among four candidates to contest the electorate. He is adamant the two things are not related.
Read more:
Power Play: Houses in disorder after turbulent week
'We dispute the allegations' - PM on bullying culture claims
Uffindell stood down from caucus over further bullying allegations
Week in Politics: Keep him on or cut him loose? Luxon's big decision
'Yuck', 'Not great': National's leaders react to Uffindell flat
Uffindell and the era of boarding school bullies
Timeline: Sam Uffindell, from boarding school to political scandal
Considered a National Party stronghold, Uffindell comfortably won in Tauranga - securing more than 11,000 votes. Upwards of 20 National MPs visited the city during his campaign - among them, Mark Mitchell was keen to highlight Uffindell as proof the party's candidate selection processes had improved.
"I think that when you see the quality of Sam, it's a clear indication of the quality of candidates that we're going to have next year for the general election."…