Student rep kicked off board for ‘confidentiality breach’ denies claims

During the mid-year break, the Te Tira Ahu Pae board removed a member for “a significant breach of confidential and sensitive information to the media”.  

But the former rep herself, Keezia Broughton, denies being the leak, saying the removal was predetermined.  

Keezia Broughton won the rep elections in March. Photo / Te Tira Ahu Pae

The leak occurred in May, when a zoom meeting recording was shared with Massive. Broughton was not in attendance on the zoom, instead the meeting was to address concerns about her eligibility for the Māori distance role due.

Reps took issue with Broughton for being a hybrid student with both internal and distance courses, and being a new freshly 18 university student.  

In a statement, Te Tira Ahu Pae said it had ratified the removal of a board member following a serious breach of confidentiality. “The Board takes its obligations and rules of confidentiality seriously, and sought legal advice on this matter. They do not make this decision lightly.”  

A spokesperson said the association had strong evidence linking Broughton to the leak, including findings from a digital investigation and analysis of interactions with the recorded meeting file.  

The association denied that the decision to terminate Broughton’s contract was predetermined, saying there had been no prior discussions or moves by the current board to remove her before the leak was investigated.  

Broughton said she only viewed the leaked recording after she had seen it circulating, “I did not know that viewing the record meeting would eventually be grounds leading to the termination of my contract.” 

She believed the decision was “predetermined and undemocratic,” describing the process as a “kangaroo court”. 

Broughton claimed the association relied on a single piece of evidence, saying no concrete proof directly connecting her to the allegations was presented.  

She referenced the leaked meeting contents, where there were discussions about removing her from Te Tira Ahu Pae. “I already knew the outcome from these allegations wasn’t going to end well.”  

She claimed the internal culture of the board was toxic, not realising how corrupt the environment was until reflecting back on it.  

While she had lost her position, Broughton is still the youth MP for Whanganui’s Tangi Utikere, with a focus on wanting to improve youth mental health support nationwide.