28 January 2003 Media Statement

Minister releases details of contracts

State Services Minister Trevor Mallard said today the State Services Commission has concluded its investigation into which government agencies have made payments to, or contracted with, the Pipi Foundation.

Trevor Mallard in December asked the State Services Commission to report on whether the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Social Development, Te Puni Kokiri or the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services had funded the foundation. His request followed allegations in the media against ACT MP Donna Awatere Huata.

The list of contracts and payments is attached and has been forwarded to the Auditor General to assist in his investigation.

“I have also received a number of inquiries under the Official Information Act, relating to the allegations. Due to the inquiries and investigation that are being undertaken, particularly that commenced by the police, I have decided to withhold all information under section 6(c) of the Act so as not ‘prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial.’

“I am aware of the public interest in the issue and have carefully weighed that against my decision to withhold the information at this stage,” Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

Details of contracts with and payments to Pipi Foundation

Department Details Amount Comment /evaluation
Department of Labour (Community Employment Group) 1. Community Reading Project in Hawkes Bay included funding of key worker and related costs to work with 50 families of unemployed to improve reading levels for them and their children. (10/7/01 to 30/6/02)
2. Funding for video filming of Ngati Kahungunu economic summit (May 2002)
$40,000

$2,000 Overall evaluation is positive with CEG confident the aims have been successfully met although the final report on the project is still to be received – CEG are following up.

No evaluative comment provided
Ministry of Social Development 1. No record of contracts with Pipi Foundation
2. MSD did contribute funding Te Huawhenua Trust (a related organisation) to run 3 economic summits in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay & Wairarapa

$3,000 (approx)

No formal evaluation required or undertaken. MSD staff attended summits and reported favourably.
Te Puni Kokiri Project to improve access of Maori children and parents to improve reading. Included funding for a key worker and development of Strategic, Business and Marketing Plans $30,000 All deliverables under the contract have been met, although the Strategic and Business plans were 5 – 7 months late.
Dept. of Child Youth & Family Records show no contracts with or payments to Pipi Foundation. n.a. n.a.

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