National MP Harete Hipango says she "regrets" asking a staff member to edit her Wikipedia page.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The 'controversies' section of Hipango's online page was edited this week by a user who identified themselves in an editing note as a member of the MP's staff.
"She's stated that much of the information in the "Controversies" section is false, and is causing a lot of distress to her family," the note said.
The section included mention of her presence at two separate anti-vaccination protests - in early November and again early this month - and allegations of inappropriate spending, all of which was widely reported by media.
The section was removed four times by the user between 1pm on Tuesday and 1pm Wednesday, then reinstated by Wikipedia editors each time.
Harete Hipango at an anti-lockdown and vaccine mandate protest in Whanganui early this month. Photo: Facebook
In a statement this afternoon, Hipango said the move had been unwise and she regretted it.
"Earlier this week I asked a staff member to edit my Wikipedia page," she said.
"I recognise that this was an unwise decision and I regret that it may be distracting from what we should be focused on, which is holding the government to account."
National Party leader Christopher Luxon characterised it as silly.
"I think it's been pretty silly and unwise, those actions. And what I'd say to you is that, you know, I want all my MPs focused on their portfolios and on the things that matter most to New Zealanders.
"I've made that pretty crystal clear in my expectations with them and that's what I expect going forward."
Christopher Luxon Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
While he had not spoken to Hipango today, deputy leader Nicola Willis had.
"People actually aren't that interested in the story, they're much more interested in inflation and much more interested in rapid antigen tests ... those conversations will stay private."
When asked, he did not say whether he thought Hipango should resign.
Hipango was returned to Parliament last May as the highest on the party list not in Parliament after veteran MP Nick Smith's resignation. She had stood unsuccessfully in the Whanganui seat, getting about 14,000 votes compared to the 22,000 of Labour's Steph Lewis.
The 'controversies' section of the Wikipedia page has again been reinstated, and updated to reflect the editing incident.