Ministry of Justice review follows saga involving former Lotto presenter

Wednesday 5 August 2026 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated Wed 5 Aug, 3:31pm

The Ministry of Justice head has apologised after former Lotto presenter Russell Harrison remained on full pay for five years while facing money laundering charges. A review is now underway after the Ministry failed to terminate Harrison's employment when he was charged in 2021. Health NZ also reportedly spent $490,000 on an advertisement featuring Harrison.

How they headlined it

First reported by NZ Herald, Wed 5 Aug, 10:52am · 3 reports from 2 outlets over 5 hours

NZ HeraldWed 5 Aug, 10:52am

Russell Harrison: Health NZ spent $490k on advertisement featuring ex-Lotto presenter involved in Comancheros money laundering (opens in new tab)
- Russell Harrison: Ministry of Justice under review, boss apologises over ‘utterly unacceptable’ saga (opens in new tab) Wed 5 Aug, 3:31pm
StuffWed 5 Aug, 2:16pm

Charged ex-Lotto presenter should have been sacked, but spent years suspended on full pay (opens in new tab)