The chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development has clashed with Labour MP Jacinda Ardern at a parliamentary select committee.
Brendan Boyle accused Ms Ardern of wrongly depicting the departure of former deputy chief executive Janet Grossman from the ministry.
The clash came after the MP asked Mr Boyle about a payment made to Mrs Grossman when she left after just 11 months in the job.
Mr Boyle says there is nothing unusual in paying out someone their entitlements when they resign but he refuses to disclose just what payment Mrs Grossman got, saying to do so would breach her privacy.
