Former cop and new Labour candidate Rakesh Naidoo speaks after being cleared of leaking

Former police superintendent Rakesh Naidoo says he holds no ill will toward the Police Commissioner or the Police Minister after the pair publicly condemned him and he was investigated for leaking sensitive information as he became a Labour Party candidate.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Naidoo told the Herald he was pleased to be cleared of any wrongdoing and noted police’s apology for allowing false information to be published about when Naidoo disclosed his candidacy to police.

While unwilling to give a view on whether his reputation had suffered from remarks made by Commissioner Richard Chambers and Minister Mark Mitchell or whether the pair acted politically as has been alleged by Naidoo’s supporters, Naidoo said he did not hold a grudge.

“I hold no ill will and I respect the roles that both Mark Mitchell and the Commissioner perform.”

Naidoo’s first public comments mark the beginning of him campaigning for Labour, for which Naidoo will likely be high-profile given his 25-year police career and his high list ranking above many current MPs.

Naidoo, police’s former ethnic, iwi and communities national partnerships manager, was announced as 13th on Labour’s list on June 8.

Mitchell, also National’s crime spokesman, quickly aired his concerns, saying he was displeased he hadn’t been aware of Naidoo’s political aspirations having recently attended police events with him and highlighted how Naidoo had been privy to sensitive information.

Former Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo (left) faced criticism from Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

Chambers voiced similar concerns and told the Herald that police would investigate whether Naidoo leaked sensitive information during the months he was talking with Labour about potentially standing.

At the time, Chambers said he wasn’t aware of reports from which he could confidently state Naidoo had “obtained and released information to the wrong external parties”, but couldn’t rule it out as it was “too early to say … a lot happens in two months”.

• Rakesh Naidoo cleared after police investigation into possible leaks to Labour
• Police admit spreading incorrect info about Rakesh Naidoo disclosing Labour candidacy
• Rakesh Naidoo told police boss two weeks before his Labour Party candidacy selection
• Naidoo stripped of powers, uniform amid transition to Labour candidate

Chambers stated it was “untenable” for Naidoo to continue in his position. During the investigation, Naidoo lost his police powers and the ability to wear his uniform as he transitioned out of the police.

When the investigation was announced, the Herald was told it would include conversations and meetings Naidoo held with Labour and any other third party.

However, a police statement on August 13 cleared Naidoo of any wrongdoing with respect to his communication with Labour only.

“Police is satisfied that correspondence between Superintendent Naidoo and the New Zealand Labour Party from his police email address related to his official police duties.”

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has not responded publicly following the investigation's conclusion. Photo / Cameron Pitney

Police have refused to explain why the investigation’s scope morphed. It’s since come to light there were no terms of reference for the investigation and police would not confirm who led the investigation.

Naidoo also received an apology from his former supervisor, Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson, after Chambers said he was only made aware Naidoo was considering standing for Labour in early June, despite Naidoo informing Anderson weeks earlier.

Supporters of Naidoo, including former race relations commissioners, publicly defended his integrity amid the investigation, claiming Mitchell’s criticism was politically motivated, and he was working in tandem with Chambers.

Mitchell, who has rejected those claims, stood by his comments after Naidoo was cleared. Chambers has refused to comment since the investigation concluded and today did not respond when asked by the Herald about the investigation or Naidoo’s tenure with police.

Since his candidacy was announced, Naidoo has remained silent as he transitioned from police to Labour candidate.

Sitting down for his first interview at Parliament, Naidoo said he was pleased he was cleared of any wrongdoing and acknowledged the “interest in his selection”.

“In my opinion, people expressed whatever they expressed based on the information they had at that time,” he said.

“Once the review took place, the clarity of the process that I had followed was cleared up and I received an apology and it demonstrated that I had followed good employment process.”

Labour candidate Rakesh Naidoo spoke publicly for the first time since his candidacy was announced. Photo / Marty Melville

Asked if he had leaked sensitive information while with police, Naidoo said, “No I did not”, but said it was for police to decide whether such reviews were required.

Naidoo was reluctant to give a view on Chambers’ public comments, not answering whether he wanted an apology from Chambers.

“He’s the best placed to answer it, but in my opinion, the information that he had at that time, made him make those comments.”

Asked if he was disappointed his police career had ended in that investigation, Naidoo pointed to his work helping respond to the Canterbury earthquakes, the 2019 Christchurch terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“That will always be there, nothing will ever take that away.”

Naidoo shies away from Police Minister aspirations

The Herald had previously reported Naidoo had been approached by other political parties asking him to stand.

Naidoo wouldn’t reveal which parties had approached him, only saying they were from “across the political spectrum”.

However, it was a conversation with a Labour Party member earlier this year, explaining the candidacy process, which got the wheels turning.

Naidoo, 56 and born in South Africa, said he had no intention of standing at that time but later came to view it as a “natural progression” having witnessed a “rise of hate” globally.

“We’ve seen communities becoming quite polarised; we’ve seen trust in government and institutions really falling away and these things have always been important to me.

“I was the first commissioned officer from an Asian background to be in police. As a kid, I used to run from the police.

“So, my whole motivation has always been about if things need to be better in society, you’ve got to be part of it and you’ve got to make a contribution.”

He insisted Labour’s values aligned with his own, having seen the impact of a high cost of living and unemployment.

“I see what happens when you can’t afford to put food on your table, and people making decisions tend to take alternative processes for that, sometimes shoplifting, sometimes have to go and engage in food banks or missing meals.”

Rakesh Naidoo had spent 25 years working for police. Photo / Marty Melville

While Labour’s former police minister Ginny Andersen remains in the caucus, Naidoo would be a strong contender to hold that ministerial portfolio should Labour form a government after November 7.

Naidoo refrained from expressing any aspiration for the role, although didn’t deny interest.

“I’ve got my training wheels on this is, I think, the third day that I’m here.

“I’m really just focused on learning the ropes, getting my feet under the table, really, and I’d say getting my feet out there and, and getting to know everything.”

He wouldn’t comment on Labour’s struggle while in government in 2020-2023 with crime, which was one of the key issues in the 2023 election. Naidoo stated he had not had any involvement in Labour’s crime policy for this election.

Asked for his take on Chris Hipkins, Naidoo described the Labour leader as “wonderful” but also had kind words for National leader Christopher Luxon when asked.

“I have the deepest respect for all politicians, for anyone that puts themselves forward for public service, and anyone that wants to be in politics.”

A self-confessed introvert, Naidoo said he was aware of the divisive nature of politics but hoped he would be able to effect change for the country.

“I grew up in a city where Nelson Mandela was arrested, where Mahatma Gandhi was kicked off the train and he started his non-violence movement.

“Mandela went on to be imprisoned for 27 years, so the idea that what counts in life should be, what can you do that’s greater than yourself?

“I’m an introvert, but what I see that needs to be done I’m willing to put myself out there for that greater good and yeah, there’s many things that will come with it but let us look at what happens when we don’t actually address the things that are important for communities.”

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.