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Social Investment Agency Work Continuing Despite High-Profile Absence Of Boss
Giles Dexter, Political Reporter
The acting head of the Social Investment Agency says its work has not been destabilised by the high-profile absence of its chief executive.
Former police commissioner Andrew Coster has been on leave from his role as social investment secretary since the release of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report, which found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police.
The report investigated how police responded to accusations of sexual offending by former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
The allegations arose from an affair between McSkimming and a woman who was a non-sworn police employee at the time.
Alistair Mason fronted Parliament's Social Services and Community Committee this morning for Scrutiny Week, in Coster's absence.
Speaking to media afterwards, he said the situation was an employment matter between Coster and the Public Service Commission, which he was not privy to.
Mason praised the work of the agency.
"Staff have actually been incredibly good. They've put their heads down," he said.
"The work of the Social Investment [Agency] is incredibly positive and really important to New Zealand. They've put their heads down and got on with it."
Mason said he had had a few "minor" conversations with Coster about delegations.
Asked whether he expected to remain in the acting role for a longer period of time, Mason said he would do whatever he is asked to do.
While he had read parts of the IPCA report, Mason said he would keep his "personal feelings" to himself.
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