Cam Slater: Michael Wood Sent to the Naughty Step

Michael Wood’s ignominy isn’t over yet. He’s been referred to Parliament’s Privileges Committee in the continuing drama over his failure to declare his share interests and the resulting conflicts of interest.

Kerre Woodham: If my boss told me to sell my shares or I'd lose my job, I'd sell my shares

Political journalists and commentators have been having an absolute field day over the past 18 hours dissecting the downfall of former Transport Minister and Minister for Auckland, Michael Wood.

Wood had been on notice since it was revealed he had failed to sell his shares in Auckland Airport, a clear conflict of interest for a Transport Minister.

Bryce Edwards: The Era of complacency over political conflicts of interest is over

Michael Wood has become a victim of his own complacency about conflicts of interest. He simply didn’t take integrity rules meant to protect the New Zealand political system from corruption seriously. And that’s rightly led to his downfall.

Wood’s complacency about corruption-prevention is hardly unique. The whole country has generally been far too relaxed about conflicts of interest in politics and public life.

Mike Hosking: I'm almost feeling sorry for Chris Hipkins

The whole Michael Wood story defies any logical explanation.

It defied explanation when he got into trouble over the airport shares.

It defied explanation when it was thought he got asked six times to get rid of them but didn’t.

It defied explanation when it turned out to be 12 times

The Prime Minister had the chance to lance the boil at the time but chose not to.