2003/04 A Year Of Change And Achievement For Te Puni Kokiri

NZPA has made a number of incorrect statements in its report of October 13 regarding Te Puni Kōkiri.

In particular, Te Puni Kōkiri was never put under the "supervision" of the State Services Commission, Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and nor was Te Puni Kōkiri "in a mess" a year ago today.

The regrettable events concerning Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Māngai Paho occurred in the latter part of the 2002/2003 financial year, not in the financial year reported on in the Annual report tabled yesterday.

While the State Services Commission's report on events was released in October 2003, Te Puni Kōkiri was already embarking on a review its effectiveness prior to its release. At Te Puni Kokiri's invitation the State Services Commission, Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister, also contributed to this review process.

Te Puni Kokiri Chief Executive Leith Comer said Te Puni Kokiri did not sit on its hands, it took the SSC report seriously and worked diligently at putting things right. Therefore, the 2003/2004 year can indeed be described as "a year of change", and in fact a year of achievement.

"With the events of the previous year still fresh in our mind, we worked actively to address the specific issues raised in the State Services Commission's report as well as working with Ministers, other government departments, an external Māori reference group and staff, to confirm a new strategic direction and implement a programme of change, including the appointment of an Executive Leadership Team.

"What became evident during this process was the willingness of stakeholders to exhibit goodwill towards securing the future of Te Puni Kokiri.

"Furthermore, as NZPA rightly points out we had many other highlights in 2003/04 . Including, Māori Televison going to air, the settlement of all Te Arawa historical claims to the 14 Rotorua lakes, the launch of the Maori Affiliation Service; the continued success of the Māori Business Facilitation Service and playing a vital role in the settlement of aquaculture claims.

"I am proud of the way the organisation has positively rebounded from the issues raised in the SSC Report and am confident that we are well on the way to becoming a highly performing and respected government department," said Mr Comer.

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