133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
27 January 2023
James
By email: [FYI request #21386 email]
Ref:
H2022018477
Tēnā koe James
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to Manatū Hauora
on 10 December 2022 for information regarding Matthew Tukaki. Information in response to
each part of your request is outlined below:
“While being considered for the role of Director of the Suicide Prevention Office and as
part of the CV check process, was the Maori Council contacted? If not, why not? Was any
information and feedback sought from the Maori Council regarding Mr Tukaki’s time
there? If not, why not?
A rigorous employment process is followed for all recruitments at Manatū Hauora, including
reference checks as standard practice. This was followed for the hiring of Mr Tukaki. Manatū
Hauora can confirm that the Māori Council were consulted as part of this process, and that
information and feedback regarding Mr Tukaki’s tenure at the Māori Council was sought.
Was the MOH aware of a complaint the Maori Council laid with Police and among those
named in the complaint for emailing BNZ about the pause on the accounts is Matthew
Tukaki? Did the MOH seek further information and clarification on this with people other
Mr Tukaki himself? If not, why not?
At the time of the recruitment process, Manatū Hauora was not aware of a complaint laid by the
Māori Council with Police that named Mr Tukaki.
Did the MOH seek clarification with the NZ Maori council regarding Matthew Tukaki’s
claim he was he held the head position rather than senior roles? If not, why not?”
As noted above, appropriate reference checks were undertaken as part of the recruitment
process. This included confirming previous relevant positions and the key responsibilities of
those roles.
By way of background, Mr Tukaki was one of 22 applicants for the position, and one of three
people who interviewed for the Director position at the Suicide Prevention Of ice. Following
these interviews, the panel selected Mr Tukaki as the preferred candidate for the role. This was
due to his experience in a similar role in Australia, his strong leadership skil s, experience
working across agencies, his strategic vision, and his media experience.
Following Mr Tukaki’s selection as the preferred candidate, reference and police checks were
undertaken as per the standard recruitment process at Manatū Hauora. Four reference checks
were conducted, which were all very positive. Mr Tukaki was then offered the role with a
commencement date of 1 July 2022.
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Robyn Shearer
Deputy Director-General
System Performance and Monitoring | Te Pou Mahi Pūnaha
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