Manukau Winz staff sacked after investigation

Five staff from the Manukau WINZ office have been fired after they accessed files on their friends and family. Photo / APN

Five Winz staff at the Manukau office have been sacked and a national review launched after an investigation found they had inappropriately accessed files on their family and friends and had breached email policy.

Work and Income head Janet Grossman ordered the review to confirm the breaches were confined to Manukau. "I am appalled and utterly gutted by their actions."

Any criminal behaviour would be referred to police and clients whose privacy was breached would be contacted.