Why did the December 2024 protected disclosure case involving contracting processes take nine months to complete and how many staff, if any, were involved in conducting that investigation?

Answer

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities advises me that this case was investigated thoroughly and involved an investigation led by an external barrister who worked for a short period within the Kāinga Ora legal team – as a secondee – to complete this investigation along with other unrelated projects. The specialist barrister completed the investigation in accordance with our standard practices and procedures for protected disclosures. The nine-month investigation included: the collation of the relevant background information, conducting the investigation, and a thorough review, by the internal experts and as well as the external barrister. Approximately four staff worked on the investigation as part of their other business as usual work. The external barrister joined Kāinga Ora about halfway through the nine-month period.