Justice Ministry chief will not step down after review
Andrew Kibblewhite, secretary and chief executive of the Ministry of Justice, says he will not step down after a review found problems with the ministry's leadership. The review was carried out by the Public Service Commission, the body that oversees the public service.
The review was ordered in August, following the ministry's handling of a former employee. According to the review's findings reported by RNZ, ministry leaders were not sufficiently focused on public trust and confidence. They were too accepting of flawed internal advice and overly concerned about the prospect of legal action. Staff who tried to speak up were not listened to.
Outgoing Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said his confidence in the Ministry of Justice had been seriously shaken. Mr Kibblewhite has said he will not step down.
The Public Service Commission described the case of Russell Harrison, a former Lotto presenter, as a microcosm of its broader findings on the ministry. Mr Harrison was suspended for five years on full pay of more than $500,000. He is facing charges relating to organised crime, following a global sting involving the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The review also highlighted a justice system under intense pressure. It pointed to more people going through the courts, more complex cases, cost pressures, and constraints on the workforce and infrastructure.
Te Au Reka is a new digital case management system, a tool for handling court cases electronically. It is described as one of the most significant court administration reforms undertaken in New Zealand.
