Wilkinson resigned her portfolio as Minister of Labour on 5 November 2012 , following the publication of the Royal Commission of Inquiry 's report into the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster . It stated that there were major flaws in the Department of Labour , and recommended " sweeping changes " into the department . In a statement , Prime Minister John Key said , " Ms Wilkinson 's decision to resign is a personal decision in response to the magnitude of the tragedy . It is the honourable thing to do . I considered it proper for me to accept her resignation from the Labour portfolio . " She retained her other portfolios and was succeeded in the Labour portfolio by Chris Finlayson
Pike River Mine disaster
Pike River Mine disaster
Kate Wilkinson (politician)