Govt quiet on chief executives

WELLINGTON: The Government has pulled down the shutters over issues concerning two public sector chief executives, refusing to answer questions about their present circumstances.

NZ Transport Agency chief executive Fergus Gammie issued a statement through the agency yesterday saying he had tendered his resignation and the board had accepted it.

Mr Gammie has been under fire since it was revealed at a press conference in the office of Transport Minister Phil Twyford in October that the NZTA had not been carrying out its regulatory function properly, resulting in thousands of vehicles so far having to be retested for warrants of fitness.

Mr Twyford made the announcement with Mr Gammie and NZTA board chairman Michael Stiassny at his side.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for Mr Twyford said Mr Gammie’s resignation was an operational issue and it would not be appropriate for him to comment.

The board also could not be reached for comment and NZTA said no further comment would be made.

Meanwhile, mystery surrounds the situation of KiwiBuild chief executive Stephen Barclay, after the Weekend Herald revealed he had not been at work since early last month.

Neither Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern nor Mr Twyford, as Housing Minister, would be drawn on Mr Barclay’s circumstances.

The new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development issued a brief statement yesterday saying Mr Barclay had not resigned but did not provide any background.

‘‘Stephen Barclay has not resigned. While he is away from the office, Brad Ward is providing operational support for KiwiBuild. The ministry will not make any further comment,’’ the statement said.

At her postCabinet press conference yesterday, reporters grilled Ms Ardern about Mr Barclay but she revealed little other than to say it was best characterised as an operational matter.

Speaking on TVNZ’s Q+A programme on Sunday night, Mr Twyford also would not provide any details.

‘‘I can’t comment on anything to do with an individual public servant. That would be completely inappropriate,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t hire the public servants — they are not my responsibility to manage. I simply get advice from them.’’ — NZME