Housing NZ staffer investigated

Housing New Zealand (HNZ) is investigating allegations a staff member has been taking bribes for giving preferential treatment for state houses, chief executive Lesley McTurk says.

HNZ began an investigation last month after receiving complaints that money was being sought by a staff member, in return for state house tenancies.

Information has been obtained which suggested some tenants in Auckland may have been housed with a greater priority than their circumstances warranted.

There was also information to indicate money may have been paid to intermediaries in the community acting on behalf of the staff member concerned.

"Housing New Zealand is appalled by the allegations," Dr McTurk said.

"I can reassure everyone this situation is being thoroughly investigated. Immediate employment action has been taken. Once our investigation is complete, it will be possible to make a decision whether it is appropriate to bring the matter to the attention of the police."

The staff member had been suspended on full pay while the employment investigation was conducted.

Dr McTurk hoped to complete the inquiry before March, but said that would depend on the employee's reaction and their advocacy.

"I'm going through the due process that is required in order to give them the opportunity to give their side of the story before a decision is made, because it is an allegation of very, very serious misconduct."

0800 LINE

HNZ had an 0800 number for people to call with information on queue-jumping for houses following the allegations.

A spokesman for Housing Minister Phil Heatley said that any information received on the 0800 line would be investigated as a priority.

"Our understanding is that the systems in place to assure the corporation of the probity of staff are strong," he told NZPA.

"However, the corporation has called in KPMG to review that and if it exposes any shortcomings then they'll be acted on.

"The feeling in the corporation at the moment is that this is a one-off but we'd welcome and act on anything to the contrary."

It would be up to HNZ what steps were taken if anyone was found to have queue-jumped by paying a bribe, the spokesman said.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW

It had been decided to make the issue public because HNZ would not tolerate exploitation of those applying for state houses, Dr McTurk said.

"It is important that Housing New Zealand sends a clear and unequivocal message to the community, and our customers, that our staff and processes can be trusted, and we will fully investigate any claims of wrongdoing.

"All the indications are this is an isolated situation. Housing New Zealand has robust, regularly audited processes in place to manage the fair allocation of state homes.

"However, to provide additional reassurance to our customers and stakeholders, I have commissioned KPMG to conduct an independent review of Housing New Zealand's home allocation processes to identify what, if any, improvements might be made." Dr McTurk said.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley said just as the Government would not tolerate anti-social behaviour in tenants it would not put up with dishonesty in staff.

"I am pleased Housing NZ has acted swiftly to investigate these allegations and take necessary action on them and also that they have called in KPMG to review whether the corporation systems leaves them exposed to similar behaviour," Mr Heatley said.

Dr McTurk said she would be happy to make public any recommendations stemming from the review.

While the employment investigation related to specific complaints, Dr McTurk said a wider investigation would also be carried out by HNZ.

"The other aspect of this I am wanting to review, beyond the employment investigation is, to make sure there's no stone left unturned, if these allegations prove to be true then I need to review all of the tenancies potentially impacted by this sort of conduct and dishonesty... and that there hasn't been any exploitation of vulnerable tenants, or indeed any tenants in houses which should not have been given them."

- NZPA