Richard Worth

Richard Westwood Worth OBE VRD KStJ (born 3 July 1948) is a former New Zealand politician who served as Minister of Internal Affairs from 2008 to 2009. He was a member of the National Party parliamentary caucus until his resignation in 2009.

This article is about the New Zealand politician. For the English writer, see Richard Nicholls Worth.

The Honourable

Richard Worth

OBE VRD KStJ
31st Minister of Internal Affairs
In office
19 November 2008 – 2 June 2009
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byRick Barker
Succeeded byNathan Guy[1]
Minister for Land Information
In office
19 November 2008 – 2 June 2009
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byDavid Parker
Succeeded byMaurice Williamson[1]
Minister Responsible for the National Library
In office
19 November 2008 – 2 June 2009
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byJudith Tizard
Succeeded byMaurice Williamson (acting)
Nathan Guy
Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand
In office
19 November 2008 – 2 June 2009
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byJudith Tizard
Succeeded byMaurice Williamson (acting)
Nathan Guy
Associate Minister of Justice
In office
19 November 2008 – 2 June 2009
Prime MinisterJohn Key
LeaderSimon Power
Preceded byRick Barker, Lianne Dalziel, Clayton Cosgrove
Succeeded byMaurice Williamson (acting)
Nathan Guy
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for National Party List
In office
2005–2009
Succeeded byCam Calder
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Epsom
In office
27 November 1999 – 17 September 2005
Preceded byChristine Fletcher
Succeeded byRodney Hide
Personal details
Born1948 (age 71–72)
NationalityNew Zealand
Political partyNational Party
OccupationLawyer, naval officer
CabinetCabinet of New Zealand

Background

Born in Auckland, Worth obtained an LLB (Hons) and Master of Jurisprudence (First Class) from the University of Auckland and a Master of Business Administration (Distinction) from Massey University.[2] He obtained a Ph.D. from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) with a thesis entitled The Closer Economic Relationship Between Australia and New Zealand: choices other than quiescence or withdrawal in the face of conflict?, which he completed in 2004.[3]

Worth has had a career in law and management, including being the executive chairperson of Simpson Grierson, one of New Zealand's larger law firms, from 1986 to 1999. He was the consul for Colombia, and later, the honorary consul for Monaco.[2]

Worth joined the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserves in 1968, rising to captain, and had the role of Chief of Naval Reserves from July 1990 to July 1994.[4] Worth was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (military division) in the 1994 New Year Honours for his work in the Naval Volunteer Reserves.[5] Worth has also been involved in the Order of St. John who, in 2008, made him a Knight of the Order of St John.[6]

Member of Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1999–2002 46th Epsom 44 National
2002–2005 47th Epsom 25 National
2005–2008 48th List 16 National
2008–2009 49th List 25 National

Election history and roles

Worth entered Parliament when he successfully stood as the National Party's candidate for the Auckland electorate of Epsom in the 1999 election, winning with a majority of 1,908. National did not win the election overall and so Worth became an Opposition MP. He was re-elected in the 2002 election with an increased majority of 5,619.

Worth lost his electorate seat in the 2005 election to the ACT New Zealand leader Rodney Hide.[7] Hide had put out a tactical voting message calling on National voters to support him in order to elect a coalition partner for National; without winning Epsom, ACT was unlikely to either to win an electorate seat or to get five percent of the party vote, so would not enter Parliament. National and Worth continued to fight for the seat,[8][9] but Worth lost by more than 3,000 votes.[7] Worth was however elected as a list MP, and National's party vote in Epsom was the highest of any electorate in the country in that election.[10]

When John Key became National Party leader in November 2006, Worth relinquished his Justice and Auckland Issues spokesperson portfolios, and was given the portfolio for Economic Development.

Worth lost Epsom again in the 2008 election, this time by nearly 13,000 votes,[11] but was re-elected on the party list. National's highest party vote was again in Epsom.[12] National also won the election overall. Worth became Minister of Internal Affairs,[13] Minister for Land Information, Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand, Minister Responsible for the National Library and Associate Minister of Justice. Worth was a contender for Speaker of the House, with the support of the previous speaker Johnathan Hunt,[14] but Lockwood Smith was selected instead.

Policies and actions

Outside of Government

Worth's maiden speech in February 2000 focused on trade, economics and Asia.[15]

In 2002 he faced questions from his part for sightseeing in Cairo instead of attending a Maori Battalion service during an official trip to Egypt. [16]

In 2005 he proposed the creation of a National Day to replace Waitangi Day. He proposed 24 May, the day that the New Zealand colony was granted a representative constitution by the British Parliament.[17]

Worth was a member of the Select Committee hearing submissions about the Civil Union Bill. He was a strong opponent of the bill, which allowed legal recognition of same-sex couples though a second class of relationships besides marriage. Worth was concerned that civil unions were in effect marriages, and he described the government as "anti-family" and said that "marriage is a valuable institution in civil society and it is important that its value is not degraded or diminished by Act of Parliament." Worth said that civil unions would discriminate against non-sexual relationships, and proposed an amendment to the bill which would allow any two people, including family members and friends, to register a civil relationship that established certain rights such as right to visit in hospital or make medical decisions. Worth reported that this amendment had about one-third of the votes in the Committee stage and was not included into the bill.[18][19][20][21] Ultimately the bill was passed and became the Civil Union Act 2004.[22]

In 2007 Worth proposed a private members bill to address miscarriages of justice. However, the Ministry of Justice recommended to the Labour Government that they not adopt it. The Deputy Prime Minister of the time, Michael Cullen, wrote to Worth about his bill saying it was too broad and might have unwarranted constitutional and fiscal consequences, that the Government would not support it.[23][24]

While in Government

As Minister for Land Information, Worth introduced the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill in 2008. This bill sought to correct historic oversights, errors or omissions relating to land status. It consisted of a number of specific reclassifications of land.[25] The bill was ultimately enacted in 2015,[26] after Worth had left Parliament.

In March 2009 he was reprimanded by his leader John Key for failing to mention that he was connected to a company that stood to gain from official visit to India. During the trip Worth both spoke on behalf of the Government and also arranged personal business deals. Worth did not consider there to be any conflict of interest. He later disengaged from his Indian business interests and stepped down as chair of the New Zealand India Trade Group.[27][28][29][30]

Resignation

On 3 June 2009 Prime Minister John Key issued a press release announcing Richard Worth had resigned as a Minister. The press release stated that Worth had "advised me of some private matters in respect of which he felt it appropriate that he should resign as a Minister", and that Key would make no further comment about these matters.[31]

The same day, the New Zealand Police issued a statement saying an allegation had been made against a sitting MP and that they were beginning a preliminary investigation.[32] Key confirmed that Worth was the subject of a police investigation. Key would not say if the matter reported to police was the reason for the resignation, saying instead that Worth's conduct "[did] not befit a minister and I will not have him in my Cabinet,'' and had Worth not resigned he would have been sacked.[33] The woman who laid the police complaint was never identified, with it only being revealed that she was a Korean businesswoman.[34]

Key also stated that some weeks prior he had received a separate allegation that Richard Worth had "[made] a nuisance of himself towards women", which Key investigated and had received assurances that those allegations were not correct.[35] This other accusation was presented to Key by then-leader of the Opposition, Phil Goff.[35][36] The woman behind this allegation was revealed to be Neelam Choudary, an active member of the New Zealand Labour Party. According to Choudary, Worth first contacted her on 26 November 2008, and altogether, forty texts and sixty telephone calls ensued, continuing until 23 February 2009. Choudary, an ethnic Indian, alleged that she was offered a job as an ethnic affairs advisor or board member in return for romantic favours. She also alleged that inappropriate and vulgar telephone calls included asking her to buy transparent garments, and that his conduct was unacceptable and unwanted.[37] Neelam Choudary herself faced scrutiny when it was later revealed that her husband, Kumar Akkineni Choudary, had been convicted the year before for his role in an immigration scam.[38]

Worth declared that he was innocent of any crime.[39] Prime Minister Key reiterated that there was no future for Worth within his Cabinet, and warned that suspension or expulsion from the National caucus was still a prospect. Worth resigned from Parliament on 12 June 2009 (effective 16 June 2009),[40][41] citing that his role as a Member of Parliament was compromised due to speculation and innuendo, and he wished to seek a new direction in international trade. After Worth's parliamentary resignation, Cam Calder took his place as the next eligible person on the current New Zealand National Party list.[42]

In early July 2009 it was reported that the woman who made the original allegation to police had withdrawn her complaint and police dropped the matter.[43][44] In November 2009, police announced that Worth would not face charges.[45] As of July 2009, Choudary had made the text exchanges public,[46] though she sent copies of 34 texts from Dr Worth, and her phone logs, to Key.[38] Labour did not pursue the matter further.[46] It was never publicly announced what caused Mr Key to lose confidence in Worth and require his resignation.[46]

After Parliament

In October 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced that Worth was reappointed Worth as honorary consul to Monaco, a role he had held before entering Parliament.[47] Monaco had appointed him to the role at least a year prior, but Foreign Minister Murray McCully had sought legal advice on whether he could refuse the application and held up the appointment until approving it in October 2010.[47][48] As of April 2020, Worth still holds the role[49] which has seen him attend the wedding of Prince Albert II to Charlene Wittstock.[47]

According to Richard Worth's personal LinkedIn profile as of April 2020, he describes himself as a lawyer and trade negotiator and says that today he is the director, chairman, or deputy chairman for four companies, a professor of international business law, and the Head of Mission for New Zealand in Monaco.[50]

References
  1. "Nathan Guy appointed as a Minister". Stuff.co.nz. 15 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  2. "New Zealand Parliament - Worth, Hon Dr Richard". archive.vn. 6 September 2012. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. Worth, Richard W. (2004). The closer economic relationship between Australia and New Zealand: choices other than quiescence or withdrawal in the face of conflict. Ph.D. thesis.
  4. "Captain R Worth OBE KSJ VRD* RNZNVR". navy.mil.nz. 2012. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2012. Captain the Honourable Richard Worth OBE KSJ VRD* RNZNVR
  5. "No. 53528". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1993. p. 36.
  6. "London Gazette". London Gazette. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  7. "Official Count Results -- Epsom". electionresults.govt.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. Hehir, Liam (10 October 2017). "ACT stronghold on Epsom due to far more than National goodwill". Stuff. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  9. "Nats heckle Hide survey". NZ Herald. 4 June 2002. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. Votes for Registered Parties by Electorate Archived 21 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Chief Electoral Office, New Zealand Ministry of Justice. 2005.
  11. "Official Count Results -- Epsom". electionresults.govt.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. Votes for Registered Parties by Electorate Archived 9 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Chief Electoral Office, New Zealand Ministry of Justice. 2008.
  13. "Key's Cabinet line-up". RNZ. 16 November 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  14. Young, Audrey Young, Audrey (14 November 2008). "Smith in favour for Speaker of the House". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  15. "Richard Worth Maiden Speech - National | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 15 February 2000. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  16. "MP opts for sights over service in Cairo". NZ Herald. 22 October 2002. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  17. "Richard Worth: It's time for a new national day - one of thanksgiving". NZ Herald. 3 February 2005. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  18. "Richard Worth: Relationships Bill provides legal security for all couples – Opinion – NZ Herald News". The New Zealand Herald. 7 December 2004.
  19. "Parliamentary Business : Richard Worth". Parliament.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  20. "True intention of Civil Union Bill revealed | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 6 December 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  21. "Civil Unions Campaign rejects Worth's Amendment | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  22. "Civil Unions Bill passed". NZ Herald. 9 December 2004. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  23. "Miscarriages of justice targeted by NZ academics, lawyers". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  24. "Call for inquiry into justice system ignored: ex-judge - National - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 12 January 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  25. "Bill to resolve land status issues passes first reading". Beehive.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  26. "Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill 237-3 (2008), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation". www.legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  27. "Worth treated as minister on personal trip to India". RNZ. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  28. Watt, Emily (30 March 2009). "Questions on Worth's India trip". The Dominion Post. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009.
  29. Forbes, Michael (31 March 2009). "SIT, Worth at variance". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  30. Espiner, Colin (9 April 2009). "Key: No further action on Worth". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  31. "PM's Statement on Richard Worth's resignation". Scoop. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  32. "Police statement on allegation against an MP". Scoop. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  33. "Goff raised earlier complaint about Worth". Stuff.co.nz. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  34. "Complaint against ex-MP dropped". Stuff. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  35. "Complaint against Worth made two weeks ago - police". NZ Herald. 3 June 2009. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  36. Watkins, Tracy (6 June 2009). "Key knew of sex claims, says Goff". The Dominion Post. Archived from the original on 8 June 2009.
  37. "Statement from Richard Worth's alleged victim". TV3. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012.
  38. "Worth accuser's husband a convicted fraudster". Stuff. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  39. "Woman at centre of Worth allegations revealed". Stuff. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  40. "Worth resigns from Parliament". RNZ. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  41. "Resignations — Dr Richard Worth, National". Hansard. 16 June 2009.
  42. "Nathan Guy appointed a Minister". Scoop. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  43. "Complaint against Worth officially withdrawn". New Zealand Herald. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  44. "Police drop case against former MP Worth – report". New Zealand Herald. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  45. "No charges after police end MP sex claim inquiry". New Zealand Herald. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  46. Gower, Patrick (3 July 2009). "Sex allegation against Worth withdrawn". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  47. "Disgraced politician pops up as our Monaco man". Stuff. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  48. Trevett, Claire (18 July 2011). "Disgraced minister picked for envoy job". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  49. Trade, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and. "Consulate of Monaco". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  50. "Richard Worth".
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Christine Fletcher		 Member of Parliament for Epsom
1999–2005		 Succeeded by
Rodney Hide
Political offices
Preceded by
Rick Barker		 Minister of Internal Affairs
2008–2009		 Succeeded by
Maurice Williamson (acting)
Nathan Guy
Preceded by
Judith Tizard		 Minister Responsible for the National Library
2008–2009
Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand
2008–2009
Preceded by
David Parker		 Minister of Land Information
2008–2009		 Succeeded by
Maurice Williamson
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