Wintec accuser ‘up against it’
A former Wintec contractor whose allegations against Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers sparked a 2015 confidential investigation has welcomed a fresh probe into her former boss.
The complainant said she felt humiliated and dejected after coming forward with her complaint.
She said the process and the way Wintec dealt with the complaint was dehumanising. The woman, who Stuff is not naming, is speaking out after it was revealed on Monday that a review of the 2015 investigation that initially cleared Flowers of any wrong doing is now in doubt. In December, Wintec hired Wellington QC Victoria Casey to examine the findings.
On Monday Wintec released a letter from Casey which says: ‘‘the 2015 investigation process was not sufficiently robust for the Wintec Council to have confidence in its conclusions.
‘‘I emphasise that I am not expressing a view on whether the conclusions of the 2015 investigation were in fact correct. Nor do I express any view on whether a further investigation will reach any different conclusions.’’ The woman said issues with the investigation were raised while it was in draft form with the Wintec Council in 2015.
‘‘They knew,’’ the complainant said. ‘‘My lawyer detailed the issues with the investigation in a letter to them, which was ignored and yet here we are.’’
Mary Cave-Palmer, who was the chair of Wintec at the time, did not return calls from Stuff.
The woman said getting a job after laying the complaint became difficult and she suffered from anxiety after it.
‘‘Any person making a serious complaint of that nature will understand it is not easy. It is something you dread, but you do it anyway . . . . I was up against it.’’
She said although it had taken years to get to this point, she will comply with the process again. ‘‘I’m pleased that there will be a chance for a more robust investigation. The 2015 council could and should have taken notice of the concerns raised. I find that frustrating, Yes, people make decisions in the interest of the organisation instead of individuals. At the time they should have undertaken a second investigation.’’
Another former Wintec executive employee who was interviewed in 2015, but did not want to use his name, said he only became aware recently of what was in the report. He said what was printed in the report and what he said to the investigator, were different. Ten employees of Wintec were interviewed for the 2015 confidential investigation. Two others refused to be involved.
In a statement, current Wintec chairman Barry Harris said the Wintec Council met about the report last week and decided to revisit the allegations.
‘‘How this will occur and what this involves is yet to be decided,’’ Harris said.
‘‘The Wintec Council at the time of this initial investigation acted with the best intent.
In order to give assurance it is a responsible organisation, the current Wintec Council has decided this is best revisited.’’
Audit NZ is also performing an extended annual audit of Wintec, which will cover ‘‘assurance work into matters raised around expenditure and restructuring costs’’, Harris said.
That work is expected to be complete in June or July, despite initially being due out in May. Wintec has made a decision not to release details of the complaints and allegations, saying it was to protect the confidentiality and privacy of those involved and to ensure a balanced and fair process.
Earlier this year, Stuff reported Wintec had spent in excess of $200,000 on legal advice and a public relations firm to manage its image during a twoyear investigation by Stuff into multiple allegations against 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. Wintec spent taxpayers’ money on lawyers, security and public relations after Flowers reneged on an agreement for a sit-down 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. Stuff also 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.