Clark's been pinged.

READ MORE: 'Not helpful': Minister accused of gagging public servants

A tape has been leaked of him on the phone with a guy called Rabin Rabindran, who's a former district health board chair who got sacked by David Clark.

And what Clark's saying on the tape is this, this is all to do with Middlemore Hospital and the drama around Middlemore Hospital, "I notice more and more getting reported, that is really not helping at all and I'm hopeful that there won't be much more commentary". 

Now is that a threat? or at the very least an instruction. 

LISTEN TO DAVID CLARK'S VOICEMAIL MESSAGE:

Then he goes on and says this, remember this is bloke he's sacked, "I would consider you for further appointments because I think that sends a message".

So basically, he is telling him to shut up and if he shuts up, there might be some work.

Is that kosher or not?