Housing CEO's Actions Toward Pomare Tenants Deplorable

"Lesley McTurk's reported comments on the Pomare evictions, and her decision to evict these whanau 10 days before a Human Rights Review, reflects poorly on both her professional judgement and ability to conduct herself in a neutral and objective fashion."

Kim Workman, Director of Rethinking Crime and Punishment, and former Chair of the Taita College Board of Trustees, considers that Ms McTurk's actions should be the subject of an investigation by the State Services Commission.

"This last ditch stand to evict these women, knowing that they were within 10 days of a Human Rights Review, is nothing more nor less than an attempt to obstruct the course of natural justice. The incident which gave rise to these attempted evictions occurred two years ago, and there has been no extreme violence in the interim."

"An independent investigation into this whole debacle would show that it is not as clear cut as Lesley McTurk claims. To say that the original complaint was willing to come forward to make a formal statement to the police, is only part of the story. The Police did not proceed because the complainants' statement was not believed.

"In October 2009, I attended a meeting with Pomare representatives which included local community and government agencies. All spoke out against the evictions. I know that senior local public servants put that view to their Head Offices, and were told to butt out."

"At that time, the Pomare Committee were prepared to enter into a covenant of good behaviour, with local kaumatua and Maori Wardens providing a level of local accountability and support. The men who had caused earlier trouble had been sent packing from the community. The Pomare Committee wanted nothing more than to sit at the table with Housing New Zealand, and work through the issues. They were gutted by the CEO's refusal to allow that to happen."

"It is to their credit that the Pomare community decided at that point, to argue their case through the due process of the law, rather than by any activist or unlawful action. As a consequence, they are still out there fighting their case, and Lesley McTurk has cost the taxpayer a reported $500,000 in legal fees.

"History will show this incident be an example of government 'overkill'; with Chief Executives and Ministers running roughshod over the views of local public servants and community leaders - not because they wanted to preserve community peace, but because they wanted to show who was boss."

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