Cop inquiry turmoil after head departs

More links between Kingi and police emerge

The inquiry into Wally Haumaha’s appointment as deputy commissioner was thrown into turmoil with the shock resignation of its chair as more links between Dr Pauline Kingi and the police emerged.

Kingi, a well-respected public servant, was appointed last week as the chair of the $150,000 inquiry to “examine, identify and report on the adequacy of the process”.

She was appointed more than three weeks after the Herald revealed comments made by Haumaha during Operation Austin, an investigation into historic police rape allegations made by Louise Nicholas.

But the focus has been on Kingi after the Herald revealed she had endorsed Haumaha’s skills and experience on the professional networking website LinkedIn 23 times.

She could not remember doing this, said Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin, and she stood by Kingi as there was no conflict of interest.

Just 24 hours later, Martin announced in Parliament that Kingi had resigned.

“Ever since she was appointed to the role, she has been the subject of political attack. Those have been attacks on her integrity, attacks on her reputation and even attacks on her legal qualification.

“Dr Kingi has a 28-year career in public service. She was asked to perform a public duty, yet became the subject of undue and unwarranted criticism. The Government has accepted her resignation and will commence the process to find a replacement.”

The resignation came after the Herald asked Martin’s office whether Kingi had ever been part of the Ma¯ ori Advisory Board for the Counties Manukau police district when Mike Bush, the Police Commissioner, was the district commander there between 2008 and 2011.

The question was not answered directly. But in a statement released by the Department of Internal Affairs, Kingi confirmed she was on the advisory boards for the Auckland and Counties Manukau police districts as a representative of Te Puni Ko¯kiri.

“The culture of change that has occurred in the New Zealand Police force is something I am particularly proud of,” Kingi said.