MPs getting death threats — study

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: Katie Harris
• Publication title: Whanganui Chronicle

The findings of the University of Otago study come from research into stalking, harassment, gendered abuse and violence towards politicians in the Covid-19 recovery era

The research revealed 98 per cent of the 54 MPs surveyed reported experiencing harassment, 40 per cent said they were threatened with physical violence, 14 per cent with sexual violence and 19 per cent told the researchers threats were made against family members.

More than a quarter of the respondents, made up of 20 men and 34 women, said they had received death threats.

One MP said someone came to their office to try to stab them, while a different respondent said they were assaulted on the way to work. Another MP said their husband was physically attacked after someone launched at the politician in public.

“I have had security put up because I had abusive people turn up to threaten me, we’ve had graphic videos threatening ourselves and whānau,” the MP said.

The findings, however, come as no surprise to many in the political space. Over the past few years, current and former MPs have become more vocal about the volume and nature of abuse sent their way.

Ex-Whangārei MP Emily Henderson spoke out about being targeted by “extremist” mobs, former foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta called out a keyboard warrior who called her the “N-word”, and Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has opened up about the abuse she’s copped.

Alarms were raised again when former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman was pleaded guilty to shoplifting earlier this year.

At the time, then Green Party co-leader James Shaw, who himself was the victim of a physical assault, said Ghahraman had been “subject to continuous threats of sexual violence, physical violence and death threats”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also weighed in, telling reporters gendered abuse is much worse for women working in politics.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and former deputy prime minister Paula Bennett have shared some of their experiences, while former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern was the subject of high levels of online vitriol.

While Luxon said he does not talk publicly about the specific abuse politicians experience, they have made sure there is security in places where there are challenges.

“It’s pretty intense from day one and it gets more intense as you do take on the prime ministership.

“Yes, there’s levels of abuse we deal with but I tend not to talk about it.”

Lead author Professor...