DOC would not make any further comments on next steps until they had considered the findings of the external review.
Photo: RNZ/ Nick Monro
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has launched an external investigation following concerns regarding relationships with iwi and processes such as procurement and debt management.
The revelations come after RNZ approached DOC on Friday with a series of questions regarding its Northern North Island region.
In a statement, DOC’s Deputy Director-General Public Affairs Sia Aston told RNZ they were aware of concerns raised about how the region had “managed relationships with iwi and processes including contracting, procurement and debt management”.
“We are taking these very seriously. We have completed an internal review which confirmed some of these concerns are valid and we need to understand more about them.
“We’ve agreed some immediate steps to lift our game on, including ensuring compliance with DOC’s established policies and procedures.
“We have also launched an external investigation to help us understand the full picture.”
Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz
Aston said DOC would not be making any further comments on next steps until they had considered the findings of the external review.
“DOC is committed to working alongside iwi. We will engage constructively with iwi as we work through these matters.”
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