\u201cIt was a silly mistake and I removed the comment as soon as I was aware it existed,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Bates is in the spotlight after the Herald revealed trusts linked to Bates and his family own 25 properties that are not disclosed in the pecuniary interests register, Parliament\u2019s list of MPs\u2019 property and financial interests.<\/p>\n
Many of the properties are rentals in Whanganui, making the trusts big players in the electorate\u2019s housing market. <\/p>\n
Bates told the Herald he was merely a beneficiary of the trusts and had checked he was declaring everything required of him.<\/p>\n
A now deleted social media post. Photo \/ Facebook<\/p>\n
Bates told the Herald, \u201cWhen I moved into politics, I exited my business interests to focus solely on being an MP. This included selling my businesses and moving away from involvement in a family property portfolio.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a discretionary beneficiary of a family trust which has an interest in a property portfolio, I have no involvement in it or its interests, as is common for family trusts.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpon becoming an MP, I met with the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests in advance of filing my return to ensure I would be declaring everything required of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Parliamentary rules, MPs must declare their business, property, and other legal interests; \u201cthereby providing transparency and confidence in parliamentary processes and decision making\u201d.<\/p>\n
These declarations are recorded and published on Parliament\u2019s Register of Pecuniary Interests. The register is overseen and published by the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests, currently Sir Maarten Wevers. <\/p>\n
The pecuniary disclosure rules are ultimately set by Parliament\u2019s Standing Orders Committee.<\/p>\n
Other commenters noted that K\u0101inga Ora, the semi-autonomous housing agency, has scaled-back its build programme in Whanganui<\/a>.<\/p>\n