Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Civil Aviation Authority chairperson Nigel Gould resigns
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) chairperson Nigel Gould
has resigned following a request from the
government.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford said this evening: "I told Mr Gould the CAA was going through some big changes and it would be best to have fresh leadership at this time. I have thanked him for his service to the authority."
Mr Gould told Checkpoint Mr Twyford gave him no other reasons for wanting him to step down from the position.
The pair had the conversation on Tuesday, which, Mr Gould said, had come as a surprise given his contract had been extended by another 12 months in June.
"I'm obviously disappointed. My term should have finished in June and at his request I agreed to stay on for another 12 months," he said.
"There are a lot of things going on ... at the moment and ... I was prepared to make the time available and contribute to that, a lot of things that potentially have a very wide impact."
"I'm obviously disappointed." - Outgoing CAA
chairperson Nigel Gould duration 6:28
from Checkpoint
Click a link to play audio (or right-click to
download) in either
MP3 format or in OGG format.
He said he could not make any comment about Mr Twyford's motivations.
Mr Gould's resignation followed recent claims that the body was a toxic workplace, where bullying and sexual harassment had been tolerated.
In June this year, the Civil Aviation Authority was under scrutiny amid reports of high staff turnover and a culture of bullying.
Then in August, the CAA was accused of misleading the public about the number of helicopter inspectors on its staff when a fatal crash killed seven people in 2015.
There would be transition period before Mr Gould's association with the CAA ended.
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Binoy Kampmark: Warring Against Encryption, Australia Is Coming For Your Communications
Gordon Campbell: On Fast Track Powers, Media Woes And The Tiktok Ban
Binoy Kampmark: Censorship Wars, Elon Musk, Safety Commissioners And Violent Content
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
Ramzy Baroud: NATO’s Never-ending War: The 75-Year-Old Bully Is Faltering
Eugene Doyle: Joining AUKUS Not In NZ’s National Interest