June 04, 2014
Roopu whistleblowers need protection
A former staff member of Te Roopu Taurima o Manaukau, Shane Te Pou, says the chief executive of the country’s largest kaupapa Maori disability services provider needs to explain why he sacked whistleblowers rather than addressing the issues they uncovered.
The Health Ministry has appointed two management advisors to support chief executive Malcolm Robson, and it has sent in a forensic auditor to assess the trust’s financial situation.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the ministry is covering itself after failing to take action earlier.
Shane Te Pou agrees and says the ministry needs to ask Mr Robson why he sacked the people who brought him the documents showing rorting of maintenance contracts and vehicle purchases.
"It sends a really bad message. If you work in an organisation that has public accountability and you stick your neck out – you do not have any protection. I think that's a matter that needs to be looked at immediately and I have every faith in Winston Peters that he will do that," he says.
Shane Te Pou says chair John Marsden has paid the price by resigning, but Mr Robson needs to go too.
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