Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Education

12 February 2013

Fears Novopay Debt Collectors Will Come Knocking

The Novopay debacle is putting an Auckland deputy principal’s personal credit rating at risk says New Zealand First education spokesperson Tracey Martin.

“Principals are demanding millions of dollars compensation for the hours of extra time they’ve been forced to spend fixing a raft of problems since the new pay system was introduced in August.

“But the Principals’ Federation says that doesn’t reflect the emotional heartache inflicted on staff when each pay period rolls around.”

Ms Martin says one deputy principal has been left hanging in fiscal limbo.

“He’s been overpaid by around $10,000 and hasn’t heard a word from Novopay.

“When he finds a way to repay it he fears Novopay won’t keep an accurate record and he’ll be charged again.

“He’s particularly worried that he could even be served with a debt collection notice.

“It’s ludicrous that there’s no straightforward mechanism for dealing with overpayments and a disgrace that someone is put in such a terrible position beyond their control.

‘School staff didn’t sign up for this stress. They’d rather be putting all their energies into the job they love – teaching.

“It’s not good enough for Minister Steven Joyce to brush it aside and say he’ll look at the issue in due course. Come on Mr Joyce – where’s your heart?

“This whole fiasco is costing millions of dollars and the meter is still running,” says Ms Martin.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>