Despite Criticism of Consulting Contracts between Mahuta's Husband/Cousin and Four Govt Agencies, Public Service Commission Finds No Favouritism
December 13, 2022
PHOTO: ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
The Public Service Commission says two government ministries failed to properly manage “perceived conflicts” over contracts with two companies operated by Nanaia Mahuta’s family.
While the commission’s review of contracts awarded to Ka Awatea Services and Kawai Catalyst did not find any evidence of favouritism or bias towards the companies, it did criticise four government agencies for failing to follow or have good processes for managing and identifying perceived conflicts.
The review was most critical of Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry for the Environment. It found they failed to properly identify and manage perceived conflicts.
The other two agencies, Kāinga Ora and the Department of Conservation, also faced scrutiny. It said DOC’s contract management was “poor” and criticised Kāinga Ora for not asking about conflicts of interest during its contracting process.
The review found “no evidence of favouritism, bias, or undue influence over agency decisions”.