Senior Advisor To Manage Investigation

Wira Gardiner, Interim Chairperson of Te Mangai Paho, said that a senior advisor, Herewini Te Koha had been appointed to assist TMP in its management requirements over the coming weeks.

Mr Gardiner said that Mr Te Koha would be responsible for managing the investigation into the Slightly Offbeat Productions matter (including the extended review of TMP's CE's performance), would oversee TMP's responses to Parliamentary Questions and would generally be available to support and assist TMP staff during the CE's leave.

Mr Gardiner said that Mr Te Koha brought a strong mix of management skills and public sector experience to TMP. His background includes: corporate management, human resources management and advice, and Treaty of Waitangi negotiations on behalf of the Crown.

"He has led senior Crown officials in land claim negotiations with various iwi; was instrumental in implementing a major restructuring of the Ministry of Maori Development; was a senior member of the Government's 1995 delegations to the UN Working Group on the rights of Indigenous People, and the UN Human Rights Sub-committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and has held executive management roles in the Maori affairs and justice sectors," said Mr Gardiner.

Mr Te Koha's appointment has been effective since 8am this morning.

Mr Gardiner will continue to handle all media enquiries.

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