New deputy questioned Nicholas’ claims
WELLINGTON: New deputy police commissioner Wally Haumaha questioned why Louise Nicholas publicly accused his friends in the police of raping her in the 1980s and continued to support them after the scandal broke, according to interviews with fellow officers.
One officer told the 2004 Operation Austin investigation into the police sex allegations that Mr Haumaha — who was appointed to the senior role by Police Minister Stuart Nash last month — described Ms Nicholas’ allegations as ‘‘a nonsense’’ and that ‘‘nothing really happened and we have to stick together’’.
Ms Nicholas, who now works with police advising new recruits and supporting victims of abuse, was so angry to hear of Mr Haumaha’s appointment that she demanded to meet him and commissioner Mike Bush to voice her opposition.
‘‘I didn’t hold back. I said ‘I’ve read your statement, Wally, and I know what you said. You put it out there about how wonderful these men were’,’’ Ms Nicholas said.
Last night, Mr Bush said Mr Haumaha was a highly respected leader who ‘‘deeply regrets’’ the comments he made during Operation Austin.
Mr Bush said Mr Haumaha had no contact with his former colleagues who were charged in relation to Ms Nicholas’ allegations since the investigation.
‘‘Mr Haumaha recognises that the culture in the police at that time was unacceptable,’’ Mr Bush said.
‘‘He has since been a relentless advocate and supporter of the widespread change in police culture and leadership.’’
Mr Haumaha was a close friend of Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum when they worked together at the Rotorua police station in the 1980s and 1990s.
He remained friends with them after they left the station and telephoned Mr Rickards — who was by then assistant commissioner in charge of Auckland — shortly after Ms Nicholas publicly alleged in 2004 the trio raped her in group sex sessions.
Her allegations — including being violated with a police baton — triggered an exhaustive police investigation, Operation Austin, as well as a commission of inquiry into the culture of the police and how sexual assault cases were investigated.
Mr Rickards, Shipton and Schollum claimed the group sex with Nicholas was consensual and were found not guilty at the 2006 trial.
The jury was unaware Shipton and Schollum were already in prison on other rape charges laid by Operation Austin.
Mr Haumaha was a senior sergeant in Rotorua when he was interviewed about the culture of the station in the 1980s.
Police Minister Stuart Nash has lauded Mr Haumaha’s ‘‘clear vision and leadership skills’’.
‘‘I expect him to play a key role to strengthen Maori leadership within police and enhance the relationship between police and Maori communities, in order to reduce both victimisation and offending.’’
Ms Nicholas acknowledged what Mr Haumaha has achieved but pointed to his statement to Operation Austin as evidence of a poor attitude towards women.
‘‘I had seen Wally around in Rotorua. Clearly, he ran with this crowd,’’ Ms Nicholas said, referring to Haumaha’s statement about his friendship with the men she accused of rape.
‘‘I’m not saying he did anything wrong. I don’t know. But I’ve never been comfortable standing in the same room with Wally because he was mates with these guys.’’
At a chance meeting at a Police College event in the past year or so, Ms Nicholas said she declined an offer from Haumaha to have a ‘‘cup of coffee and put water under the bridge’’.
But when he was appointed to the deputy role, Nicholas said she ‘‘hit the roof’’ and asked to meet Mr Bush and Mr Haumaha.
She also insisted deputy commissioner Mike Clement, who was a senior member of the Operation Austin team, be present.
She was reluctant about speaking publicly for fear of being branded racist — an attack levelled at her by supporters of Mr Rickards at the time of her original allegations.
‘‘I’m not doing this to be a vindictive bitch.
‘‘The police have worked hard to change their culture over the last 10 years or so,’’ Ms Nicholas said.
‘‘But without the right leadership, without the right attitude towards women, they can tumble backwards.
‘‘Will Wally uphold what the police have fought hard for? Or will he take the foot off the accelerator?’’
A senior police media adviser responded to a message left on Mr Haumaha’s phone yesterday.
Later, in a written statement, Mr Bush confirmed Mr Haumaha met Ms Nicholas to ‘‘assure her he remains committed to continuing the work the organisation has done . . . to improve our culture and our service to victims of sexual assault’’. — NZME