Insurance company investigates threat against Wellington councilor

An insurance company is investigating whether one of its employees is behind an online death threat against a Wellington city councilor.

The comment was made via Twitter after Councilwoman Rebecca Matthews retweeted a post from the New Zealand Police, which read: “You know what’s great? People who indicate.”

He criticized the police saying, “You know what is great? Get a warrant before a search.”

In response, a member of the public allegedly threatened to shoot Matthews and referred to her in a derogatory manner.

“It was very scary, I’m used to receiving harsh comments but threats of violence, that’s another level. It’s scary,” Matthews told the Herald.

Rumors have circulated that the person is an employee of an insurance company.

In response to inquiries from the Herald, a company spokesman said the matter was under investigation.

They said the company expected employees to maintain high standards of behavior, both on and off the workplace.

“Since the matter is under investigation, we cannot comment further. [the company] 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. “

The Herald has chosen not to name the company while it investigates.

Matthews has since filed a complaint with the police and Twitter, and it appears that the social media giant has removed the comment for violating its rules.

“We want to be accountable and available to the public, but no one deserves to be threatened,” said Matthews.

The councilor has also contacted the insurance company and reported to a senior manager at Wellington City Council.

Matthews said he thought the level of vitriol might be more extreme towards women in politics.

Earlier this year, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker withdrew from social media after what she described as sexist abuse online.

He decided to stop interacting with voters on Facebook, saying that his male colleagues did not receive the same message.

“After a year, I am fed up with the abuse that I am receiving and I think being mayor and having an executive director has a lot to do with that.

“I am actually a human being and I have feelings, so I have decided that I am not going to take it anymore.”

He said he would continue to use his mayor’s Facebook page where he controlled content.

In another incident this year, a Kāpiti coastal district councilor was left reeling after offensive sexual comments about her were posted on a board member’s blog.

One article referred to Jocelyn Prvanov and four other councilors as “political concubines” of Mayor K Gurunathan.

Waikanae Community Board member Geoffrey Churchman, the site’s editor, has since resigned.