Latest update: 11/04/2017
Statement from Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley the State Services Commission CERA Inquiry report
11 April 2017
Ōtākaro Limited has received the State Services Commission CERA Inquiry report released today.
Ōtākaro has fully cooperated with the State Services Commission in respect of the State Services Commission’s independent investigation into the management of conflicts of interest at CERA.
Ōtākaro confirms that it has also conducted a review in relation to the actions of two of its employees, Gerard Gallagher and Simon Nikoloff, while they were employed by Ōtākaro. After identifying activities of concern, a disciplinary process involving both individuals was undertaken. Before this process could be concluded, Mr Gallagher and Mr Nikoloff left their positions on 7 March 2017 and 10 April 2017, respectively.
Ōtākaro has referred the results of its review to the Serious Fraud Office for further consideration, and has been advised that it is not appropriate to provide further details at this time.
Ōtākaro can, however, confirm that a review of all prior and pending property transactions by the Company since its establishment has identified no transactions of concern.
On establishment, Ōtākaro had appropriate policies and procedures in place to deal with conflicts of interest. These policies have been further strengthened and now the Company requires all personnel to declare all interests and refer those to Senior Management to determine whether any actual or perceived conflicts of interest exists, or whether any personnel interests require active management. This revised Conflicts of Interest Policy was approved on 26 September 2016, and has been implemented across the Company.
Ōtākaro agrees with the State Services Commission that New Zealanders have every right to expect Public Servants to exercise a high standard of judgment around managing any conflicts of interests. Public Servants should put the interests of their organisation ahead of their own.
The people of Christchurch can be assured that Ōtākaro takes the appropriate management of conflicts of interest very seriously.
