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Onslow-Western Councilwoman Rebecca Matthews filed a police report for a death threat.
A major New Zealand insurance broker is investigating a death threat directed against a Wellington city councilor that appears to have come from one of his employees.
City Councilor Rebecca Matthews has filed a complaint with the police after receiving the death threat online.
In a tweet directed at her, a member of the public referred to her with a derogatory term and threatened to shoot her.
The threat, which appears to come from a senior employee at insurance brokerage Aon NZ, was a response to a Matthews post criticizing some police practices.
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A spokesperson for Aon said the company was investigating the threat.
“Aon expects its employees to maintain high standards of behavior, both inside and outside the workplace,” he said.
“Aon’s culture of inclusion, diversity and respect is central to our values and there is no place on our team for anyone who exhibits behaviors that conflict with these values.
“Since the matter is under investigation, we cannot comment further. However, Aon will take appropriate action if it is determined that one of our employees is acting in a way that violates its Code of Conduct, its policies, or otherwise acts inconsistently with our values. “
Matthews had retweeted a tweet from the New Zealand police that read: “You know what’s cool? People who indicate ”.
She had added the comment “You know what is cool? Get a court order before a search. “
The account the tweet came from has a history of making racist and sexist comments towards women politicians, including Jacinda Ardern and Nanaia Mahuta, although it had not been posted before about Wellington City Council or Matthews herself.
Matthews is the Labor adviser for Wharangi / Onslow-West during his first term.
He said he had received aggressive messages and comments before, but nothing that required police intervention.
Rosa Woods / Stuff
Rebecca Matthews ran on the Labor Party ballot in 2019.
“You get some more ‘solid’ feedback. I use the tools that are available to me and I block people. However, this is the first that has been violent in nature, ”he said.
“I expect scrutiny, I don’t expect everyone to be nice to me all the time, but I don’t expect anyone in public life to be subject to this,” he said.
In addition to police, Matthews said he had contacted the employer of the man who appeared to be behind the account and would file a complaint with Netsafe.
A police spokesman was unable to comment due to privacy rules.
