New Haumaha inquiry head this week

WELLINGTON: A new chairman to lead the independent inquiry into the promotion of deputy police commissioner Wally Haumaha is expected to be named this week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

In her first postCabinet press conference since returning from maternity leave, Ms Ardern refused to voice an opinion on Mr Haumaha’s comments in which he described his police officer friends — under investigation for rape allegations at the time — as a ‘‘big softie’’ and a ‘‘legend with women’’.

‘‘No, I’m awaiting the final results of the inquiry. I want to look at the issue in its entirety.’’

Technically, Ms Ardern signed off on the Haumaha appointment after his name was put forward by Police Minister Stuart Nash in May.

Mr Nash said he was unaware of the ‘‘deeply disappointing’’ comments and the inquiry will look into whether all relevant information was gathered by the State Services Commission, which managed the recruitment process.

Pauline Kingi was appointed to run the inquiry but resigned last week after it was reported she endorsed Mr Haumaha on a professional networking site, as well as having worked on Maori advisory panels.

The Prime Minister said a new inquiry chairman was likely to be announced this week.

She also expressed confidence in the independence of the inquiry, which is being overseen by Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin, a New Zealand First MP.

Ms Ardern’s response followed questions about conflicts of interest, including Mr Haumaha’s whanau links to NZ First deputy leader Fletcher Tabuteau.

While Ms Martin was overseeing setting up the inquiry, Ms Ardern said the inquiry would report back to Cabinet.

‘‘I have no concerns. We manage conflicts of interest on a regular basis . . . I’m satisfied we’ve been acting appropriately.’’

National MP Chris Bishop said the inquiry had been a ‘‘farce’’.

He said Ms Martin should hand over responsibility for the inquiry.

‘‘With the emergence of even more close ties between Mr Haumaha and NZ First, there is no way Ms Martin can possibly continue in the position,’’ Mr Bishop said.

‘‘To avoid the inquiry becoming a complete waste of time and money, Cabinet must replace Ms Martin with a nonNZ First minister and appoint an independent QC as chair.’’

It was reported yesterday Mr Tabuteau comes from the Waiteti Marae in Ngongotaha, near Rotorua, of which Mr Haumaha is the chairman.

They are both Ngati Ngararanui and Mr Tabuteau referred to Mr Haumaha as a member of his whanau in his maiden speech to Parliament in 2014.

Mr Tabuteau’s uncle, Tommy Gear, a close friend of Winston Peters, is a trustee of the Ngati Ngararanui Hapu Trust along with Mr Haumaha.

Mr Gear and Mr Haumaha are senior leaders on the Waiteti Marae where a special function was held last year to celebrate Mr Haumaha’s promotion to assistant police commissioner.

Mr Peters was one of the speakers at the function, along with police commissioner Mike Bush.