3 November 2023
Barry Murphy
[FYI request #24380 email]
Tēnā koe Barry
Thank you for your request to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, dated 9 October 2023, which
you made through th
e www.fyi.org.nz website. You requested the following information under the
Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) (Request 1):
“I have received communications showing an email 10 August 11:43am - Kate Oates and
David Chau to meet to discuss Giles Taits conflict of interest being registered. This meeting
seems like a conflict of interest on its own, considering a COI has just been raised, and many
email threads of the perceived conflict and before a media release and parliamentary
questions.
1./ How was the meeting held, in person or via email or via zoom, or other form?
2./ What was the discussion and please provide notes or any evidence.
3./ Giles Tait conflict was raised on 4th August by Mr Holland, his official COI was only lodged
on the 7th August as stated by KO. Was the original form of the COI on 7th August, registered
in the system, or were there any alterations made post his initial emailing of the COI?
4./ Please provide a copy of the roles and responsibilities Giles had in the design of the project.
5./ Its noted that Mr Tait was involved in the project when the new design layout of stage 1
approached his border and that a COI was not registered in January when this happened.
Please advise what role he played at this time
6./ Paul Wheatcroft EM Communications at RDC states he cannot answer the question on
stormwater and that Giles may be able to help as "he has answered earlier stormwater
management questions", which seems inappropriate asking the person being accused of a
conflict for the very defence of the conflict. A road has been proposed over the exact
stormwater drain being suggested. Please provide evidence that proves the stormwater drain
outside his property is active”
Thank you also for your additional request of 9 October 2023 which you made through the fyi.org.nz
website. You requested (Request 2):
“Sorry, in addition, Martyn Patterson stated "please see a revised answer to the first question
of the COI", which would indicate an alteration may have been made, but it was redacted.
Please confirm if this was a revision from the facts of the COI lodged, or the question asked of
KO for media release?
Al information about Giles Taits role to play have been redacted to, I dont see how this is of
any personal nature and should be released. Many previous documents released and even
displayed on KO public website, show some of the roles he played as "Project Manager" and
"Delivery Lead" along with all the contracts he signed with contractors; showing he had signing
authority and employed many of the parties that changed the design layout under his request,
extending a stream on 6th April at his request etc.
10 August 2:43pm David Chau responds with rational for Giles Tait, possibly coached in his
response by Kate Oates meeting that same day that I have requested information on?
10 August 2:43pm David Chau responds with rational for Giles Tait, possibly coached in his
response? It also states that Giles Tait expertise led him to make a correction to the design to
preserve existing stormwater management, please provide evidence to support Giles expertise
decision”
Request 1:
In relation to questions 1 and 2, the meeting was an online meeting. I am withholding details of this
discussion under section 9(2)(a) of the Act to protect the privacy of natural persons. I can advise that
the purpose of the conversation was to seek advice on the Kāinga Ora Conflict of Interest Policy and
how it applies to the conflict of interest declaration made.
In relation to question 3, the declaration was submitted directly into our system on 7 August 2023.
In relation to questions 4 and 5, I can advise that the staff member’s role was as a Senior
Development Manager. As advised previously, the staff member was not leading the project, nor
responsible for the design of the project.
The Senior Development Manager position is accountable for assessing project feasibility and
preparing project briefs and business cases for each neighbourhood or project, in collaboration with
but not limited to the Regional Director/s and Construction and Innovation Teams, undertakes key
stakeholder and community engagement, contractor/consultant management and the ultimate delivery
of superlots/land to public and private build partners while ensuring the overall neighbourhood or
project outcomes and ongoing viability is achieved. They are responsible for the development ‘face’
representing Kāinga Ora in discussions with Māori on matters ranging from kaitiaki and commercial
partnership opportunities through to project governance.
In relation to question 6, details of the stormwater drain are included in the Resource Application
information which can be found on our website at:
Teitei Drive : Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (kaingaora.govt.nz)
Request 2
I can advise that the revision Martyn Watterson refers to was a revision to a draft media response.
Some information was redacted appropriately under section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act to maintain the
effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or
to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees of any public
service agency or organisation in the course of their duty.
Regarding your queries about the staff member’s role, I refer you to the information provided in
Request 1.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of my decision on your
request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
Freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that Kāinga Ora proactively releases its responses to official information requests where
possible. Our response to your request may be published at
https:/ kaingaora.govt.nz/publications/official-information-requests/, with your personal information
removed.
Nāku noa, nā
Mark Fraser
General Manager – Urban Development and Delivery
