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The Chief Statistician of New Zealand has called it quits after the release of a damning report (“The Heron Report”) into the organisations engagement with Manurewa Marae during the 2023 Census. The senior Civil Servant, Mark Sowden, has decided not to seek a further appointment, as announced by the Public Service Chief, Sir Brian Roach.
The Heron inquiry found Stats NZ failed to safeguard personal information, creating the risk information provided to or collected by the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency could be used for an improper purpose. “The system has failed and that isn’t acceptable – and it must be, and will be, remedied.” the report stated.
As a result of the inquiry’s findings, the Government Statistician and Chief Executive Stats NZ, Mark Sowden, has decided to not seek re-appointment. His contract as acting chief executive ends on 30 March.
“I think it is the right thing to do in the circumstances and I respect Mr Sowden for what would have been a tough decision,” said Sir Brian.
“His decision to step down reflects the standard of accountability expected of public service chief executives.”
As a result of the inquiry findings, the Commissioner has asked Stats, the Ministry of Health, Health NZ and Te Puni Kōkiri to temporarily suspend entering into new contracts, renewals and/or extensions of contracts with the three third-party service providers named in the report, until those agencies can satisfy the Commissioner that their contracts are fit for purpose and adequately deal with information sharing and conflict of interest obligations.
More to come
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