15 October 2003

Media Statement

Review Report on Te Puni Kökiri

Te Puni Kökiri Chief Executive Leith Comer said he had received the State Services Commission’s review report on Te Puni Kökiri and its handling of various matters including Te Mängai Paho and was pleased that it had been finalised and released.

Mr Comer said that the report highlighted some shortcomings that Te Puni Kökiri needed to address, and that both prior to the review’s inception and since the review started much work had been undertaken to address a number of the matters identified.

He said since the review had begun the Ministry had for example established a Ministerial Advisory Unit to assist in providing a professional and timely service to the Minister, and was continuing to monitor its services in this regard.

Mr Comer said that for some time Te Puni Kökiri’s activities had grown and changed and that internal and external expectations of Te Puni Kökiri focus areas had also grown and changed.

“It is therefore timely that we take this opportunity to clarify our direction with Ministers and develop a new strategic plan.”

Mr Comer said that reviews were unsettling for staff and that he hoped that the release of the SSC Review Report and the commitment to developing a new strategic plan for the Ministry signalled a forward focussed period ahead for Te Puni Kökiri staff and other stakeholders.

ENDS

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