NZ minister quits after inquiries into Chinese businessman's assault charges

New Zealand Customs Minister Maurice Williamson was forced to resign Thursday following revelations of his inquiries into a police investigation into a Chinese businessman and political supporter.

The resignation triggered a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister John Key less than five months from a general election that opposition parties are fighting with claims that the government is indulging in "cronyism".

Key said he had accepted Williamson's resignation as a government minister after being made aware that Williamson had contacted police officers overseeing the investigation of businessman Liu Donghua on charges of assaulting a woman.

"The independence of police investigations is a fundamental part of our country's legal framework," Key said in a statement.

"Mr. Williamson's actions have been very unwise as they have the potential to bring that independence into question."

Key said he would appoint a new minister outside Cabinet early next week and in the meantime, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges would be acting minister of customs and acting minister of statistics, which Williamson had also headed.

Williamson's other ministerial portfolios of building and construction as well as land information would be taken over in an acting capacity by Housing Minister Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy respectively.

Controversy has surrounded the government's links to Liu since Guy, then minister of internal affairs, granted Liu New Zealand citizenship, against official advice, in 2010 after Williamson lobbied on Liu's behalf.

In 2012, Roncon Pacific Hotel Management Holdings Ltd., of which Liu is a director, gave a five-figure donation to Key and Williamson's governing National Party.

Last year, the police charged Liu with assault with intent to injure and male assault on a female, which was when Williamson contacted the police to discuss the case.

Liu pleaded guilty in court to both charges earlier this year.