New Police Documents Reveal Former Justice Minister's Remarks After Crash

Newly released police documents have shed light on the behavior of former Labour MP Kiri Allan following a 2023 incident in which she crashed her car while over the legal drink-driving limit. The documents reveal that Allan, who was then the Justice Minister, made several contentious remarks, including claiming she wrote the law and describing the charges against her as a 'political stunt.'

Allan was involved in a collision on Evans Bay Parade in Wellington, causing significant damage to both vehicles. According to the police report, she resisted arrest and engaged in verbal abuse towards the officers at the scene. She reportedly refused to accompany the officers to the station and even used shrubbery to block her removal from the area.

Allan was eventually taken to the Wellington Central Police Station, where she was served with a court summons. The police summary states that she became argumentative and demanded to speak to senior officers, while insisting that the charges were politically motivated. She refused to accept the court summons and vowed not to leave the station until it 'disappeared.'

The incident led to Allan being fined for drink driving, although her breath test did not register a criminal level. She was also sentenced for refusing to accompany police for evidential testing. This event marked a turning point in her career, as she later resigned from her ministerial roles and exited politics entirely.

The release of these documents came following an Official Information Act request by the NZ Herald. Initially, the file was heavily redacted, prompting the Herald to file a complaint with the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman ruled that the information should be made public due to its public interest, and the police provided a summary of the contents.

Police officers reported that Allan repeatedly asked to speak with a lawyer and was uncooperative during the process. She was eventually arrested and handcuffed for refusing to comply with procedures. The incident has sparked discussions about transparency in cases involving public figures and the handling of such situations by law enforcement.

The documents highlight the challenges faced by police in dealing with high-profile individuals and underscore the importance of maintaining transparency in legal proceedings. As the public awaits further developments, the incident remains a significant moment in New Zealand's political landscape.