Prime Minister's press secretary resignation

The story so far

Michael Forbes resigned on 4 June 2025 as acting deputy chief press secretary to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon after being accused of secretly recording sex workers without consent.^{4, 5 Jun 2025} Reports also alleged he took intimate photos of women in public, including women exercising at a Wellington Les Mills gym, and he has apologised for the harm caused.^{4, 5, 10 Jun 2025} Police searched two of his phones after allegations that he made covert audio recordings of sex workers in Wellington last July.^{5 Jun 2025} Questions have been raised about why the Prime Minister's office was not told that police had investigated and seized his work phone, and about whether the matter should have been identified in security vetting.^{5, 6 Jun 2025} Luxon said he was shocked and demanded answers on staff vetting and disclosure, and the Department of Internal Affairs is reviewing vetting procedures.^{5, 6 Jun 2025}

Latest

The Prime Minister's investigation into Forbes is expected to conclude in August, and the government is considering which findings can be made public.^{17 Jun 2025} Gym members have reported feeling anxious, and the gym says member safety is a priority, while the sex worker considers its response insufficient.^{10 Jun 2025}

What's next

The findings of the Prime Minister's investigation into Forbes are expected to be released in August.^{17 Jun 2025} The government is still considering which details of the findings can be made public.^{17 Jun 2025}

Key moments

1. 4 Jun 2025Forbes resigns after allegations he recorded sex workers without consent.
2. 5 Jun 2025Questions raised over why Prime Minister's office was not told of police investigation.
3. 5 Jun 2025Police search two of Forbes's phones over covert recording allegations.
4. 6 Jun 2025Police did not inform Beehive officials they seized Forbes's work phone.
5. 6 Jun 2025Resignation linked to failure to disclose incident identified in security vetting.
6. 10 Jun 2025Gym members feel anxious after sex worker's claims about photos of women.
7. 17 Jun 2025Investigation findings expected in August; release of details under consideration.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.