Claims about Governor-General designate Mateparae must be investigated

Claims made in the latest issue of Metro magazine regarding the conduct of New Zealand’s Governor General designate, Lt. General Jerry Mateparae, must be investigated prior to his investiture, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.



Prime Minister John Key assured the public in August last year that New Zealand forces did not take prisoners based on advice from the then head of the New Zealand Defence Force Jerry Mateparae. However Metro magazine journalist Jon Stephenson claims that New Zealand’s Special Air Service was involved in taking prisoners in a raid a few weeks prior to the Prime Minister’s assurances.



“The New Zealand public deserves a full investigation of the claims made in Metro regarding our Special Forces being involved in the detention of combatants in Afghanistan,” said Dr Norman.



“The Key Government’s claims – based on advice from Lt. General Mateparae – that New Zealand soldiers have never held anyone in Afghanistan must be investigated given the evidence put forward by Metro that we do indeed take prisoners.



“John Key has already poured cold water on an independent investigation.



“Mr Key should rethink this given the claims made in Metro put a number of political and military figures including our Governor-General designate under a cloud of suspicion.



“New Zealanders must be certain that our Special Forces do not inadvertently deliver detainees up to be tortured in violation of various international treaties,” said Dr Norman.



“New Zealanders also must have faith that their political and military leaders tell them the truth,” said Dr Norman.