Former deputy press secretary resigns following failure to disclose information

Friday 6 June 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Fri 6 Jun 2025, 5:00am

In this story Christopher Luxon, National Party, Department of Internal Affairs, Michael Forbes

Michael Forbes, the prime minister’s acting deputy press secretary, resigned on Wednesday. The resignation follows reports that he failed to disclose an incident that should have been identified during security vetting. The situation has raised questions regarding flaws in the New Zealand security clearance system.

How they headlined it

5am

1. NZ HeraldFri 6 Jun 2025, 5:00am

   How the Forbes scandal exposed flaws in NZ’s security clearance system - Thomas Coughlan (opens in new tab)

2. The Press via The PostFri 6 Jun 2025, 5:00am

   Infidelity, drug-use, gambling, and debt: what security vetting should catch (opens in new tab)