The chair of the Teaching Council has provided an update on a series of investigations underway at the embattled agency but is refusing to comment on the future of CEO Lesley Hoskin who remains on leave.
Hoskin took an agreed leave of absence in October pending the outcome of an independent investigation into her conduct.
It followed a separate probe being launched by the Public Service Commission (PSC) into conflict of interest allegations and procurement concerns at the council.
The Herald revealed last month that the PSC inquiry was sparked by a whistle blower’s claims the agency spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds on an advertising firm run by the CEO’s husband.
An anonymous letter sent to Education Minister Erica Stanford in June this year, obtained by the Herald, claimed Clemenger BBDO received up to $800,000 from the Teaching Council for advertising and consultancy work.
Brett Hoskin, who is married to Lesley Hoskin, is Clemenger Wellington’s managing director.
Teaching Council chair David Ferguson sent an all-staff message last week addressing the recent controversies.
He said there had been “quite a bit of news and discussion lately” about the council.
“A number of independent processes” were currently underway, he confirmed.
A review commissioned by the governing council and being conducted by consultant Debbie Francis was assessing the direction, operating model and culture of the Teaching Council, Ferguson said.
It aimed to ensure the council continued to provide high-quality services to teachers and was due to be completed this month.
The PSC investigation into procurement and conflict of interest concerns was expected to be completed early next year, Ferguson wrote.
“The governing council is cooperating fully with the PSC investigation and remains open to the findings of each of the processes currently underway. Any recommendations that may strengthen the Teaching Council will be welcomed and taken into consideration for the future.”
Ferguson also addressed changes to the Teaching Council’s legislated functions, announced recently by Stanford and due to come into effect mid-next year.
These include moving the professional standard setting functions for Initial Teacher Education and the teaching workforce from the council to the Ministry of Education, and reducing the size of the governing council.
The Teaching Council would remain the country’s professional teaching body and retain its remit over teacher professional certification, conduct and competence registration, as well as teacher education provider quality assurance, Ferguson said.
“Our aim is to work constructively to ensure any changes progress smoothly in the best interests of teachers, and to continue to serve the profession seamlessly and without interruption throughout this period.”
While the council was undergoing a “period of change and review”, the governing council and leadership team remained committed to the organisation’s core functions – supporting teachers and the profession.
Ferguson, who was appointed chair in August, said he appreciated the responsibility and duty he had to teachers and the profession.
There was no mention of Lesley Hoskin, no update on the independent investigation into her conduct, and no signal about whether she would be returning from leave.
Sources spoken to by the Herald said they were surprised Ferguson failed to reference the absent CEO or the probe into her alleged actions.
One said that prior to Ferguson’s email, there had been radio silence about the various investigations at the council.
“We’ve had no information about when [Hoskin] might be coming back or when the conduct investigation might be done.
“All we’ve been told is Tom Gott is acting [CEO] for the time being.”
The Herald asked Ferguson whether the investigation into Hoskin’s conduct had been completed and whether she was still being paid during her period of leave.
He replied: “The Teaching Council CEO is currently on leave and day-to-day operations are continuing under acting CEO Tom Gott. We are unable to comment further on employment matters.”
The whistle blower’s letter to Stanford said ministerial oversight was needed at the council to ensure accountability and safeguard public funds.
“The use of taxpayer funds places a higher level of scrutiny,” the letter stated.
“Unfortunately, what we have observed over the last 12-18 months raises significant concerns about governance, ethical standards and staff welfare at the council.
“There appears to be a pattern of procurement decisions that create, at the very least, a perception of conflicts of interest.
“Even if the work was deemed necessary, directing such substantial funds to a business so closely linked the chief executive raises questions of ethical governance.”
The letter separately raised complaints about staff culture at the council.
After receiving the letter, Stanford said she immediately referred the allegations to the PSC.
The PSC said its probe was ongoing. It would not comment on the independent conduct investigation into Hoskin, saying employment issues were a matter for the Teaching Council.
Hoskin did not respond to a request for comment via the Teaching Council.
The Herald also sought comment from Brett Hoskin about concerns in the letter over alleged conflicts of interest, and the amount of contracts awarded to his firm.
He did not respond personally.
However, a Clemenger spokesman said the company was “very confident” proper tendering procedures were followed for creative and advertising contracts with the Teaching Council.
The company strictly adhered to government procurement rules, including management of any identified conflicts of interest and transparent participation in government tender processes.
The Teaching Council is a professional body with oversight for vetting and registering teachers, and ensuring they are competent and fit to practise.
A Herald investigation this year revealed the council had certified a teacher with historical indecency convictions, despite a “red flag” from police warning he should not be allowed unsupervised access to children.
The man, Timothy Fisher – who was able to hide his convictions under the Clean Slate Act – went on to indecently assault several young girls at a private after-school education provider and is now in prison.
Lesley Hoskin has defended the council’s vetting and registration practices, saying no mistakes were made and its actions were consistent with legislation and information available at the time.
Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the NZ Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
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