A senior Ministry of Social Development (MSD) staffer says Winston Peters was "indignant and defensive" when she informed him in 2017 that he'd been overpaid his superannuation by nearly $18,000.
An acting regional director for MSD, Meredith Nugent, told the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday that Peters' "tone was indignant and offensive, and the clear undertone was: how dare we contact him about such a thing".
Nugent was tasked with informing Peters in 2017 that he had incorrectly filled out his form when applying for superannuation in 2010. He had told MSD he was living alone when he was actually living with his partner of 17 years, Jan Trotman.
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Nugent told the High Court that Peters did not appear to understand how superannuation entitlements worked.
"Mr Peters indicated he didn't understand why he was entitled to less if he was in a relationship," she said.
Nugent said Peters was "adamant" MSD had made the mistake but later accepted he had filled in the form wrong.
Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister, is taking legal action against a cast of powerful political figures over the leak of his superannuation overpayments to the media, including National's deputy leader Paula Bennett and State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes.
Newshub's Jenna Lynch, Newstalk ZB's Barry Soper, and Newsroom's Melanie Reid earlier on Wednesday refused to reveal any information that could identify the person who leaked the overpayment information to them.
All three were subpoenaed by Peters' lawyer, Brian Henry.
None were prepared to even reveal the sex of the person who called them, but Soper testified that the National Party stood to benefit from the leak of Peters' superannuation overpayments.
Courts can only force reporters to reveal the identity of sources in rare occasions, such as when it is overarchingly in the public interest to do so.
Paula Bennett and former MSD Minister Anne Tolley are expected to give evidence on Thursday.
They were alerted to the overpayments under the ministerial 'no surprises' policy, which requires public servants to alert their ministers of matters of significance within their portfolio when they may be controversial or become subject of public debate.
Peters says his superannuation is a private matter and should not have been raised with ministers.
Newshub.
