Another $53k on Wintec legal bill
A Hamilton tertiary institution continues to spend taxpayer money on legal advice to combat media inquiries after racking up a $500,000 bill.
Wintec spent $53,098 with Hamilton law firm Norris Ward McKinnon on advice about Official Information Act requests from media companies, including Stuff, from November 29, 2017, to November 1, 2018.
The latest revelation about the institution’s spending comes after Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers resigned in November amid two active investigations: one into overseas spending by the Wintec executive team and the other into Flowers’ conduct.
Previously, Wintec spent taxpayers’ money on a security guard to stand outside Flowers’ home, PR advice and legal fees to shield the chief executive from media.
Communication’s Director Erin Andersen, in a statement, said Wintec does not employ an inhouse legal team, but when required pays for legal advice around privacy, redactions and withholding information.
‘‘Wintec has engaged openly and professionally on all OIA requests,’’ Andersen said. ‘‘Wintec have not charged
[Stuff], nor other media organisations, for any of the information it has provided to date, under the guidelines which allow under the Official Information Act.’’
But Wintec has requested payment for Official Information Act responses which were declined by Stuff and not provided.
The latest instalment comes weeks after Wintec’s embattled chief executive retired citing health reasons.
In announcing his retirement, Flowers used his personal email account to inform Stuff.
‘‘The last several years have been challenging due to the vexatious allegations made against me by a small number of people, two investigations and an additional assurance audit,’’ Flowers said in November.
‘‘Reflecting on my 16 years as CEO, Wintec has achieved a great deal and is regarded as one of the top institutes in the country.’’
Wintec refused to answer questions about why Flowers was now releasing his own statements and not using communication staff at Wintec.
Flowers’ retirement comes after a three-year investigation by Stuff and during two active probes. The results of both probes were initially due for release in November, however Wintec has extended the release date to the New Year.
Flowers formally retires his post on March 1, 2019, and will not return to work in the interim.
In the meantime, Dave Christiansen, will remain as acting chief executive.
Christiansen has been at the polytech since the early 2000s working in the planning unit and has been a senior adviser to Flowers since 2007. He also directs the international arm of Wintec.