Wintec to reopen investigation into allegations about its CEO

Wintec is launching new investigation into allegations relating to its chief executive Mark Flowers. Photo / Alan Gibson

Wintec will relaunch an investigation into historic allegations about its chief executive Mark Flowers after a peer review found the initial process was lacking.

Wintec Council chairman Barry Harris has confirmed the peer review found a 2015 investigation into allegations about Flowers was "not sufficiently robust" for the Wintec Council to have confidence in its conclusions.

The council voted last week to revisit the allegations made into Flowers and Harris said it would be carried out "with some urgency" so that it could it be resolved as quickly as possible. The original investigation cleared Flowers of any wrongdoing.

Harris said in light of the findings by Wellington-based Queen's Counsel Victoria Casey the responsible thing to do was to revisit the allegations even though the Wintec Council at the time of the initial investigation "acted with the best intent".

Casey's $30,000 review did not include an opinion on whether the conclusions of the 2015 investigation were in fact correct or whether a further investigation would reach any different conclusions.

"Process is important. It's certainly my expectation that I would like to have this resolved as quickly as possible, but once we enter the process - and you have to allow that to run its course - again in fairness to the various parties."

The steps the council would follow to ensure a fair and measured process was carried out and costings would be decided over the next few weeks, he said.

"The fact that these complaints go back a number of years now make it more challenging, but it's our belief that they do need to be revisited to the best that we are able."

Wintec has declined to release details of the complaints and allegations relating to Flowers, citing confidentiality and privacy.

The chief executive, senior management and staff had been informed of the developments and Flowers remained in the top role with the support of the Wintec Council.

"I've spoken to senior management and they remain supportive of their chief executive and focused on delivering on the organisation's objectives."

Review of Wintec investigation into CEO looks at whether council needs to reopen investigation

The launch of a new investigation has been welcomed by a former Wintec staffer who took part in the first investigation and believed everyone would be happy to take part again.

The woman, who did not want to be named, believed it was a more conducive environment now than when the first investigation was carried out in 2015.

In November last year, Harris defended the original investigation to the Herald, saying the allegations were looked into independently and were unsubstantiated.

He made the comments after the Herald revealed Wintec had spent almost $175,000 fighting a media organisation publishing stories about it and its staff, including its chief executive.

The costly legal advice was also used to help deflect defamatory allegations and statements from disaffected third parties about Wintec and its staff with no evidence supplied, he said at the time.

Meanwhile Audit New Zealand is continuing its audit of Wintec which includes scrutinising expenses incurred by the chief executive and his executive team between 2009 and 2017 in relation to travel to Hong Kong and China.

The work, estimated to cost $80,000, is expected to be completed in either June or July.

Review of Wintec investigation into CEO looks at whether council needs to reopen investigation

Wintec to launch independent peer review into complaint relating to CEO Mark Flowers