Appointment to top job cleared
The appointment of Police Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha has been cleared by a Government inquiry.
Claims the high-ranking officer lacked integrity for the job were found to be unsubstantiated, with the process of his appointment deemed ‘‘adequate and fit for purpose’’. The report’s author, lawyer Mary Scholtens QC, also found bullying allegations, which have since emerged and are being investigated by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), were unknown and irrelevant to the appointment. Concerns raised by Louise Nicholas, a victim adviser to police, which sparked the inquiry were found to have ‘‘no verifiable basis’’. State Services Minister Chris Hipkins said Nicholas’ reputation was not tarnished by the report’s findings, and she would continue to do good work with police.
Haumaha, in a statement, said he was pleased the report had been released and was grateful to those who supported him. ‘‘It has not been easy for anyone, as I know from my own weeks and months waiting for the outcome.’’
He had worked for 30 years to improve the police’s service to the community, and was looking forward to ‘‘the opportunity of continuing this work’’.
Haumaha said he had also gained personal insights from the process.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the report gave the Government confidence in the process but she would not express a view on Haumaha as the IPCA report was outstanding.
Comments Haumaha made in 2004 emerged in June, and Nicholas said the deputy commissioner lacked the required integrity for the job.
In a witness statement, Haumaha described former colleague Brad Shipton as a ‘‘big softie at heart’’ and Bob Schollum as a ‘‘legend in his own right’’. Both were accused of pack rape by Nicholas, along with former assistant commissioner Clint Rickard.
Schollum and Shipton were convicted of raping another woman.
In May, Nicholas met with with Commissioner Mike Bush, Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement and Haumaha to express her disappointment at his promotion. Bush then believed her concerns had been resolved and emails show she agreed to work with Haumaha. She confirmed to Scholtens that Haumaha had done nothing to her personally, and she did not know ‘‘if he did anything wrong’’ in the 1980s.
Scholtens said all relevant information was before the State Services Commissioner (SSC) but it failed to recognise ‘‘perception risks’’ that might affect the appointment.
The key thing the SSC missed was Nicholas’ concerns and it overlooked the risk she ‘‘might’’ share concerns with the media – undermining the appointment.
SSC had correctly evaluated Haumaha’s conduct, character and integrity.
‘‘It is not easy to see how the process might be improved.’’
The commission disregarded information that Haumaha previously considered standing for NZ First. Scholtens agreed it was irrelevant. She recommended the SSC should look widely when seeking information on candidates and approach people other than nominated referees, including anonymous and confidential views from employees, where required. A review of international best practice is being considered by the State Services Commissioner.
‘‘I recommend a focus of this review be on identifying and managing the risks around unexpected publicity,’’ Scholtens said.
The allegations, ... are found to be unsubstantiated in this report – but public perceptions ... will remain.
Two formal bullying complaints were laid against Haumaha in September by women who worked with the deputy commissioner in 2016.
The three women – staffers of Ministry of Justice and Corrections – who raised the complaints were involved in a joint project to improve outcomes for Ma¯ ori, at Police Headquarters. Scholtens said there was clear tension among those working on the project, and in one meeting Haumaha, allegedly angrily asked each staffer for their commitment to the project and him.
An apology was subsequently sought but Haumaha was unwilling to provide one. It was decided the women would work from Ministry of Justice headquarters. Nicholas heard these concerns, and raised them with Deputy Commissioner Clement in 2016. But no formal complaint resulted. Scholtens concluded the police commissioner did not know of the complaints and the matter would not have made Haumaha unfit for the appointment.
Yesterday, Police Minister Stuart Nash would not say if he had confidence in Haumaha, not wanting to prejudice the IPCA investigation.