Ardern frustrated over Haumaha appointment

Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha could be replaced depending on the outcome of an inquiry into his appointment, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

Ardern yesterday said she was frustrated at the handling of Haumaha’s appointment and wants the matter addressed quickly.

‘‘But I also want to get it right and that’s why we have an independent person assisting us.’’

It was announced on Friday a leading Queen’s Council would head a six-week inquiry into the appointment of Haumaha as deputy police commissioner.

Since his appointment, several accusations have surfaced that the Government claimed it was unaware of at the time he was recommended for the position.

The inquiry is centred on whether all of the appropriate information was made available to both Cabinet and the State Services Commission during the appointment process.

Police Minister Stuart Nash would not be pressed into standing down Haumaha while the inquiry was conducted.

He said a process was in place to find out if he had been given the correct information to make an informed appointment.

The inquiry follows accusations Haumaha contacted someone who alleged they had witnessed a bullying incident – after Haumaha learned the claim was being investigated by journalists.

It was also claimed Haumaha made comments defending police officers accused of rape in 2004, and there were further accusations of bullying behaviour. Seven young political and policy leaders from Alabama, Idaho, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Washington DC and Virginia are visiting New Zealand as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders exchange. They will visit Parliament, meet MPs and talk to the Electoral Commission and public sector, business, trade union and education organisations. A New Zealand parliamentary delegation visited the United States in March.