ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Sharma told reporters he had been expelled as he exited the caucus meeting.
The news was confirmed in a statement from Prime Minister and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.
"The Labour Caucus has voted to expel Dr Gaurav Sharma from caucus, effectively immediately," she said. "The Caucus also voted to refer the matter to the New Zealand Council of the Labour Party for them to consider any further disciplinary action."
She said the decision meant Sharma would no longer receive support from the party, or have access to the caucus in any way. He would have the right to attend select committees, but would not be a member of one.
"When Gaurav went public about his staffing issues 12 days ago our response was one of concern. We attempted to offer support and find a way to resolve his concerns. We offered mediation and a pathway back for him.
"Despite providing an opportunity to resolve his issues and to rebuild trust he has repeatedly demonstrated that he no longer wishes to be a member of the caucus. His consistent and ongoing breach of the caucus rules has resulted in the complete loss of trust by his fellow Labour MPs."
She said Labour's whips and the Parliamentary Service had sought to resolve staffing issues within Sharma's officer for more than a year, but rather than accept the issues raised or the need to take steps to address them he had "consistently contested the process".
"As a Labour team we remain committed to ensuring that Parliament is a positive place for our staff. We have however highlighted to the Speaker areas where we believe that the new procedures under the Francis Review could be improved, and asked that he consider whether these recent events could be a case study to help improve these processes.
"There are definitely things to be learned from this episode, but none of it justifies the recent behaviour of Gaurav."
She said the decision concluded the matter from the Labour caucus' perspective.
"Our focus remains on the significant issues New Zealanders are grappling with and our responsibility to serve them - not the interests of an individual MP."
Sharma was suspended from the caucus last week for repeated breaches of trust.
Sharma told reporters he had been expelled as he exited the caucus meeting.
The news was confirmed in a statement from Prime Minister and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.
"The Labour Caucus has voted to expel Dr Gaurav Sharma from caucus, effectively immediately," she said. "The Caucus also voted to...
Sharma told reporters he had been expelled as he exited the caucus meeting.
The news was confirmed in a statement from Prime Minister and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.
"The Labour Caucus has voted to expel Dr Gaurav Sharma from caucus, effectively immediately," she said. "The Caucus also voted to refer the matter to the New Zealand Council of the Labour Party for them to consider any further disciplinary action."
She said the decision meant Sharma would no longer receive support from the party, or have access to the caucus in any way. He would have the right to attend select committees, but would not be a member of one.
"When Gaurav went public about his staffing issues 12 days ago our response was one of concern. We attempted to offer support and find a way to resolve his concerns. We offered mediation and a pathway back for him.
"Despite providing an opportunity to resolve his issues and to rebuild trust he has repeatedly demonstrated that he no longer wishes to be a member of the caucus. His consistent and ongoing breach of the caucus rules has resulted in the complete loss of trust by his fellow Labour MPs."
She said Labour's whips and the Parliamentary Service had sought to resolve staffing issues within Sharma's officer for more than a year, but rather than accept the issues raised or the need to take steps to address them he had "consistently contested the process".
"As a Labour team we remain committed to ensuring that Parliament is a positive place for our staff. We have however highlighted to the Speaker areas where we believe that the new procedures under the Francis Review could be improved, and asked that he consider whether these recent events could be a case study to help improve these processes.
"There are definitely things to be learned from this episode, but none of it justifies the recent behaviour of Gaurav."
She said the decision concluded the matter from the Labour caucus' perspective.
"Our focus remains on the significant issues New Zealanders are grappling with and our responsibility to serve them - not the interests of an individual MP."
Sharma was suspended from the caucus last week for repeated breaches of trust.
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