Wintec spend tops $200k
Wintec’s bill to protect itself over media inquiries has topped $200,000.
It can be revealed that the taxpayer funded tertiary institute, which has already spent $175,000 on legal advice, has spent more than $25,000 on a public relations firm to manage its image during an investigation into multiple allegations against chief executive Mark Flowers.
Taxpayers also footed a $1400 bill for a security guard at Flowers’ home as the organisation debated what to do if a reporter attended a public meeting of the Wintec Council or turned up at the organisation’s Christmas party.
The new information was revealed in emails obtained through an Official Information Act request. The request was lodged in March 2017 and the information provided a year later.
Wintec is currently conducting a review into an unreleased 2015 investigation into Flowers’ behaviour. The investigation cleared Flowers but former Wintec executive Merran Davis claimed it was deeply flawed and failed to look at a number of issues raised.
The Auditor General is also looking at spending at the polytechnic. Meanwhile fresh allegations put to Wintec by Stuff will not be examined in the new investigation.
The latest documents released by Wintec show taxpayers paid $25,500 for Wintec to hire PR company Axion Strategy and Communication to help with their image during the investigations..
Taxpayers also footed a $1462.63 to pay for security detail to guard Flowers at his home in case Stuff attempted to ask him questions on his doorstep.
The moves from Wintec came after Flowers reneged on an agreement for a sitdown interview and asked for questions instead to be put in writing. Flowers answered the questions through high-powered law firm Bell Gully, but with a not-for-publication caveat slapped on it. Last year Stuff attempted to talk to Flowers at Wintec’s Hamilton city campus carpark. When the reporter started asking questions, Flowers turned up his car stereo, put his SUV into reverse and left.
Stuff has interviewed multiple former Wintec executives and senior managers who have made serious allegations against the tertiary provider and Flowers.
The latest emails and text messages released by Wintec include correspondence between Flowers, communications director Erin Andersen and former Wintec Council chair Mary Cave-Palmer.
In a late night email exchange between Flowers and Andersen he describes being upset about the media inquiries into Wintec dealings in China.
‘‘Erin. I shouldn’t bother you with this when it’s late but I have a bad feeling about this,’’ Flowers wrote.
‘‘Why are they chasing Walley, for example? Lynette’s away and I don’t want to spoil her time away there’s no one I can talk to but I’m sure you’ll appreciate I’m pretty upset for myself, and potentially the team as well .... M.’’ (sic) Walley Qiu, owner of Access NZ, is contracted to Wintec to help with their business affairs in China. Qiu would pay for China related trips for Wintec and be reimbursed by the polytech.
In a Christmas related email dated December 13, 2016, from Andersen to the Wintec executive team she advises on the correct course of action if a journalist arrived at the work Christmas function.
‘‘A couple of things to be aware of, there is a small chance the journalist from (Stuff publisher) Waikato Times may turn up at the Xmas party, if that were to occur, Erin Andersen will be handling that situation, or refer the reporter/camera person to Erin,’’ she wrote on behalf of Flowers.
‘‘The same could occur at the Council meeting. Erin’s communications team is well briefed on the situation, so are also aware of this potential. This is not to be alarmist, but just so you can be prepared.’’
On the same day Cave-Palmer nominated herself as the communication go to in an email to council members and circulated a pic of the reporter conducting the investigation.
‘‘Just to be aware that Waikato Times reporter Florence Kerr, or another reporter, may come to today’s council meeting. We haven’t been notified of anyone coming but it could happen. Florence’s picture is below,’’ she detailed in her email.
‘‘Please be extra circumspect and, if you are approached, please refer her to me.’’
Andersen replied to Cave Palmer’s email: ‘‘Mary, you may want to advise that if you are
approached, refer her to me, not you, as the contact person ... As per the agreed strategy this morning.’’
Cave-Palmer also advised council members that a letter sent via Bell Gully to the Waikato Times threatening legal action if it published allegations about Wintec may not work.
‘‘We need to be prepared that the letter may not stop publication. I have alerted TEC (Tertiary Education Commission) that there could be adverse publicity about the matter next week.
‘‘Mark is on a flight from Saudi but I managed to catch him in transit and we agreed I should immediately engage a professional to assist with reputation risk mitigation.’’
Wintec communication manager Louise Belay sourced photographs of Stuff reporter Florence Kerr online and emailed them to her superior Andersen who then
circulated the photos to staff.
Cave-Palmer also alerted the council when Stuff approached Flowers in the Wintec carpark.
‘‘WT (Waikato Times) were waiting for Mark this morning in the Wintec carpark just before 7am with microphone and camera. He did not engage them, as recommended by our advisers. We think the story is probably planned for this Saturday.’’
Cave-Palmer told the taxpayer paid board not to engage with the reporter and direct them to Andersen. Andersen also sent a staff wide email with Wintec’s media policy attached.
‘‘Importantly the chief executive and director communications are only authorised to speak on issues affecting Wintec as a whole,’’ Andersen wrote. Flowers has refused to speak to Stuff. His refusals have come through Andersen.