Head scientist quits over CV claims

Stephen Wilce is the Defence Force's chief scientist and director of the Defence Technology Agency. Photo / Supplied

The Defence Force's top scientist - who had high level security clearance - continued to work while being investigated for giving false information on his CV.

TV3's 60 Minutes reported last night that Stephen Wilce, head of the Defence Technology Agency (DTA) and New Zealand's chief defence scientist for the past five years, made extravagant claims about his background, including that he had a distinguished combat career.


Mr Wilce told a reporter posing as a recruitment consultant he was a member of the British Olympic bobsleigh team in the 1980s. The programme's investigations alleged that many of his claims were false.

Mr Wilce's job meant he held the highest levels of security clearance. The DTA provides important advice to the military on technology and scientific matters, such as electronic surveillance and defence systems for navy ships, as well as classified advice to the Government on threats to air force aircraft in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae today said Mr Wilce had resigned.

He was stood down only a week ago and the resignation accepted "before today", but Lt Gen Mateparae would not say when.

"I will say that he's resigned and we are dealing with the matter both in an employment sense and also the security and credibility (issues)."

A whistleblower had raised concerns with defence in July.

"We were alerted through an anonymous set of information that we investigated," Lt Gen Mateparae said.

After preliminary queries the force decided in-depth inquiries were needed.

"We need to make sure we do things properly otherwise on one hand we leave ourselves open to litigation and on the other hand we may be unfair in terms of how we tread."

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said he had requested a full report into the situation and wanted to ensure it could not happen again.

He refused to speculate on when Mr Wilce resigned or whether he was stood down from his duties before that.

"Obviously you would expect someone to resign in these circumstances."

Dr Mapp said Mr Wilce was employed by an external organisation on behalf of the Defence Force.

Mr Wilce had access to reasonably sensitive information but there was nothing to suggest that information had bene improperly dealt with, he told media.

"I think it's a concern to everyone...it is not acceptable."

Dr Mapp said it was too early to say whether other Defence Force staff would need to be checked or whether the matter would be referred to police.

He said he would consider getting an independent review once the Defence Force one was complete which should be promptly.

Dr Mapp meet Mr Wilce once when he visited the DTA.

Green Party MP Keith Locke said if anyone had know about Mr Wilce's alleged lies they could have used the information to blackmail him.

He said it also raised questions about those in other top-level defence posts.

"If there can be...such a failure in case we have to wonder how many other times the systems failed and we're talking her about someone who should have had the most rigorous of checks."

- NZPA