Ex-KiwiBuild boss taking on ministry

WELLINGTON: Former head of KiwiBuild Stephen Barclay says he is pursuing a case of constructive dismissal against the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (Mhud).

This came after the ministry revealed earlier yesterday Mr Barclay resigned amid an employment investigation that revealed complaints from employees, contractors and stakeholders regarding his ‘‘leadership behaviour’’.

‘‘The allegations reflected behaviours that are not consistent with standards expected of senior public servants,’’ Mhud chief executive Andrew Crisp said in a statement earlier yesterday.

In a statement via a private public relations company late yesterday afternoon, Mr Barclay said he was extremely disappointed Mhud had divulged details of an employment matter.

He considered this a breach of privacy and had no choice but to respond.

But State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes said in a statement he was satisfied with the way Mr Crisp had managed this employment matter involving Mr Barclay.

‘‘His actions are consistent with what I would expect of a public service chief executive.

‘‘I am acquainted with the facts of this case and they do not support a number of statements in the media release issued by Mr Barclay’s public relations company today.’’

Speaking to Newstalk ZB last night, Mr Barclay said he was ‘‘gobsmacked’’ at Mr Crisp’s statement, saying he was ‘‘staggered’’ by its tone.

He said not long after he resigned on January 18, his lawyer made it clear to Mr Crisp he intended to sue Mhud.

Addressing the claims an investigation found there were ‘‘leadership behaviour’’ issues, Mr Barclay described his management style as ‘‘direct’’.

‘‘I sort of say it how it is; I expect people to have a point of view and tell me what their point of view is and noodle it around, we make decisions and move on.

‘‘I’m known as an implementer, I get things done. I think it’s a clash of management styles.’’

He was highly critical of Mr Crisp’s decision to conduct the investigation internally.

‘‘I asked for that investigation to be handled by someone independent, not by Andrew Crisp who has a personal relationship with all of the complainants.’’

Although he said it was ‘‘absolutely’’ his decision to resign ‘‘for the good of the KiwiBuild pro

gramme’’ he said he had been forced out because he did not ‘‘fit the mould of the public service and, in particular, Andrew [Crisp’s] view of the public service.’’

In terms of the KiwiBuild policy itself, he said the wheels ‘‘seem to have fallen off’’.

Last week it was revealed that just 300 KiwiBuild houses would be completed by July this year while the target was 1000.

Mr Barclay said at the end of last October, he and Mr Crisp were debating whether the number was 600 or 500 that were on track to be completed by July this year.

‘‘I don’t know how it’s gone to that down to 300 now.

‘‘My understanding is a whole lot of red tape and other things have taken some projects off the table.’’

Mr Barclay was employed by the Ministry of Business, Inno vation and Employment (MBIE) from July to October 2018 when the KiwiBuild programme was transferred to the Mhud.

During this period, there were no issues raised about his performance, management style or leadership,’’ the PR company statement said.

‘‘Within two weeks of the KiwiBuild programme moving to Mhud, he can confirm there were a small number of complaints from individuals who held a close relationship to the chief executive, Mr [Andrew] Crisp.’’

The statement said the nature of the complaints related to Mr Barclay’s direct management style and dealings with certain individuals.

‘‘They were entirely linked to the implementation of the KiwiBuild programme which was Mr Barclay’s only remit.

‘‘His commitment was to execute against the targets of the KiwiBuild programme, and he was attempting to do this at pace.

‘‘As soon as Mr Barclay was informed of the complaints, he responded to them within the week, requesting the complaints be independently investigated and additional people relevant to the complaints be questioned.

‘‘These requests were repeatedly denied and Mr Barclay was suspended from his role for more than two months.

‘‘This made his position untenable and led him to resign in his and the KiwiBuild programme’s best interests.’’

The number of KiwiBuild homes was on track to meet the year one target when he was suspended, the statement said.

A spokesman for Housing Minister Phil Twyford said as Mr Barclay’s former employer, Mr Crisp was best placed to comment on his departure and it was not appropriate for Mr Twyford to comment on an employment matter regarding a public servant. — NZME

❛ The allegations reflected behaviours that are not consistent with standards expected of senior public servants Andrew Crisp

❛ I asked for that investigation to be handled by someone independent, not by Andrew Crisp who has a personal relationship with all of the complainants Stephen Barclay