Christchurch earthquake: No, minister - shaky start to quake plan

Martyn Dunne. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Gerry Brownlee's Canterbury earthquake recovery authority has struck difficulties even before it is officially launched - the man tipped to lead it has reportedly turning down the job because of issues with Mr Brownlee's involvement.

The Government is expected to tomorrow announce the structure of the quake recovery authority which will co-ordinate rebuilding efforts in the shattered city.

Last week, it was reported that senior civil servant and former Army officer Martyn Dunne was to be appointed as temporary head of the body.

But without citing sources, broadcaster Paul Holmes yesterday said Mr Dunne had declined the job after deciding he was unable to work with the quake recovery minister.

A spokesman for Mr Brownlee said although Mr Dunne had spent two weeks assisting the State Services Commission to set up the authority he had never been in the frame to lead the body even on an interim basis and had not even been approached to do so. The spokesman said the report was simply premature.

"People put two and two together and made five."

Mr Brownlee later released a statement confirming Mr Dunne would not be involved in the new authority.

But Labour's quake recovery spokesman Clayton Cosgrove said Mr Dunne's appointment to lead the authority was "the worst kept secret in New Zealand".

Aside from media reports, Mr Cosgrove said Mr Dunne's imminent appointment was referred to by acting Civil Defence controller Steve Brazier during a briefing last week which he, Mr Brownlee and other MPs from both sides of the House attended.

In an aside to a discussion about a relatively innocuous matter, Mr Brazier made a reference to "when Martyn Dunne takes up his CEO role" said Mr Cosgrove. "So the controller knew about it."

Another MP present at that meeting also confirmed Mr Dunne was named.

If Mr Dunne had been in the frame to lead the authority but had decided against taking the job, "that is a real worry for Canterbury", said Mr Cosgrove.

Mr Dunne came with "a very formidable pedigree and career as a soldier".

"If it is the case as reported by Mr Holmes that he can't work with Mr Brownlee that is a worry, you have to ask why?

"I'm assuming the major general would also have been heavily briefed as to the Government's quake recovery authority and one would assume that he baulked at that and thinks it's not appropriate.

"Well, who's the big loser in all of that? The people of Canterbury."

Five weeks after the quake there were more delays to recovery and rebuilding efforts, said Mr Cosgrove.

Mr Dunne has been the chief executive and comptroller of the Customs Service since 2005 and before that had a distinguished 27-year career in the Defence Force including roles with the SAS, as commander of the international forces in East Timor, and eventually commander of New Zealand's joint forces.

He was appointed in January as the next high commissioner to Australia, a role he was to take up this month.

It was understood the commencement of his new role was to be delayed by six months while he served as the quake authority's interim head.