13 December 2022

A review of whether Public Service agencies have appropriately identified and managed conflicts of interest in certain contractual relationships

On 5 October 2022, Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes announced a review into how Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment and Te Puni Kōkiri Ministry of Māori Development  managed conflicts of interest while procuring the services of Ka Awatea Services Ltd (KAS) and Kawai Catalyst Ltd (KC).

The purpose of the review was to determine whether public service agencies had appropriately identified and managed any conflicts of interest in their contractual relationships with KAS and KC.

The review did not form any views in relation to the actions of Ministers, KAS, KC, the directors of those companies or any other individual members of the public. In addition, it did not examine the process around any individual Cabinet appointments or employment agreements.