Disgruntled employees, allegations of misconduct, personal grievances –\u00a0even breaches of its government-funded social service contracts – are\u00a0some of the issues plaguing Dunedin health organisation Te K\u0101ika. <\/p>\n
Rob Kidd reveals details from a year-long investigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
*Some names have been changed to protect identities<\/p>\n
Te K\u0101ika was established as a \u2018\u2018one-stop health shop\u2019\u2019 for community care, an irresistible kaupapa that attracted some of the region\u2019s top M\u0101ori professionals.<\/p>\n
It has grown massively in recent years, picking up millions of dollars in funding to provide low-cost health and social services, primarily to M\u0101ori, Pasifika and low-income whanau.<\/p>\n
As well as primary healthcare, Te K\u0101ika offers dental services, mental health and addiction support, and a migrant and refugee service, and operates transition support for 16 to 21-year-olds who have been in care or youth justice placements.<\/p>\n
Its shiny new Caversham Wellbeing Hub opened to much fanfare on May 2 last year.<\/p>\n
Attended by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora bosses and Ministry of Social Development bigwigs, the opening was billed as the culmination of a dream 20 years in the making.<\/p>\n
Some staff gave up lucrative jobs overseas to return to their t\u016brangawaewae, to give something back to their people; to be part of something bigger than themselves.<\/p>\n
A look at the website – up until late June when it was updated, following inquiries by the\u00a0Otago Daily Times\u00a0 – appeared to show many of them were still employed.<\/p>\n
But in the past couple of years, staff have left in droves.<\/p>\n
Some have been paid out over personal grievances, others say they became disenchanted, burnt out by what they felt was mismanagement by those in charge. The\u00a0ODT\u00a0has spoken to numerous current and former Te K\u0101ika employees, all of whom were too concerned about the potential repercussions to be named.<\/p>\n
They voiced a range of concerns – not about the underlying ethos of the charity but about the workplace.<\/p>\n
All the people interviewed though, who included senior employees at other agencies, were unreservedly positive about the vision.<\/p>\n
And how could they not be?<\/p>\n
A low-cost service, cutting through the administrative red tape, allowing our community\u2019s most vulnerable members to access vital services at a single location.<\/p>\n
For many employees it was that which made leaving difficult.<\/p>\n
Several spoke about hanging on only because of their belief in the value of the work, as well as the love they had for their colleagues.<\/p>\n
But for some there came a tipping point when the strain became overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The sad thing is, working for a M\u0101ori organisation, a lot of us really tried to come into the space to do good things for our people,\u2019\u2019 one source said, but they felt management did not allow them to do that.<\/p>\n
Board chairwoman of Otakou Health Ltd (the charity which founded Te K\u0101ika) Donna Matahaere-Atariki wrote a statement in response to a range of questions posed by the\u00a0ODT.<\/p>\n
She said the organisation was delivering \u2018\u2018excellent healthcare services\u2019\u2019 and expressed surprise there would be any associated negativity.<\/p>\n
Any question \u2018\u2018based around a rumour from an anonymous source\u2019\u2019 would not be answered, Ms Matahaere-Atariki said.<\/p>\n
Highlanders deal<\/p>\n
In May 2022, Te K\u0101ika announced its ground-breaking three-year sponsorship of the Highlanders – an unlikely marriage of charity health provider and professional rugby outfit.<\/p>\n
Chief executive at the time Albie Laurence rationalised it as increasing Te K\u0101ika\u2019s profile and widening awareness about the importance of immunisation following the Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n
He was pictured, arms laden with rugby balls, in front of a bevy of rugby players and grinning children.<\/p>\n
Over his right shoulder were Ms Matahaere-Atariki and her son Matt Matahaere, side by side.<\/p>\n
The latter, who was chief M\u0101ori adviser at the time, offered up a soundbite in a subsequent media release.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We share the same values as the Highlanders, particularly around building a culture, because this is where your values come through. Culture is the shadow that values leave behind,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
The following month, there was an abrupt cultural shift at Te K\u0101ika.<\/p>\n
Mr Laurence, who played a pivotal role in co-founding the organisation, was gone, and stepping into the void was Mr Matahaere.<\/p>\n
The change was sudden and Mr Laurence never spoke about his departure at the time or over the ensuing three and a-half years.<\/p>\n
In his first interview as chief executive, Mr Matahaere described his predecessor as \u2018\u2018amazing\u2019\u2019 but quickly turned his focus to the future and the plans for the Wellbeing Hub, an integrated healthcare and social services facility in Caversham.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Change is always good,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
But some of the staff at Te K\u0101ika would go on to disagree<\/p>\n
After a few months in the role, it became clear to many staff Mr Matahaere\u2019s reign as chief executive would be different from his predecessor\u2019s.<\/p>\n
As the grand opening for the hub approached last year, there was the predictable torrent of online meetings with stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0ODT\u00a0has been provided with a photo of one such forum showing at least eight people in business attire.<\/p>\n
Then there is Mr Matahaere shirtless.<\/p>\n
His mother conceded it was a bad look but stressed it only came about because of his diligence.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Mr Matahaere agrees that in hindsight this clothing choice did not reflect the professional standards that he endeavours to maintain. However, to be fair to Mr Matahaere he was on holiday and at short notice asked to attend the call whilst sitting on a beach with wh\u0101nau,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
First impressions<\/p>\n
Jim* felt Mr Matahaere initially created a good impression at work.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018He wasn\u2019t trying to micromanage us … just trying to get people with expertise,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Like many others, Jim was drawn to the lofty goals of the Te K\u0101ika project, the opportunity to really help his people.<\/p>\n
Meaningful work.<\/p>\n
And the buy-in by staff was infectious.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The majority stayed because of the people we worked with,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
But Jim felt the \u2018\u2018cloak of care\u2019\u2019 – Te K\u0101ika\u2019s philosophical touchstone – and the people-first rhetoric did not always extend to its staff.<\/p>\n
Many former employees approached by the\u00a0ODT\u00a0were unable to comment on their time at Te K\u0101ika because it is understood they had signed non-disclosure agreements after resolution of their personal grievances and associated pay-outs.<\/p>\n
Terms of such contracts mean they would be legally barred from making any disparaging comments about the organisation or discussing the circumstances of their departure.<\/p>\n
But documents regarding some cases were seen by the\u00a0ODT.<\/p>\n
They detailed allegations of aggressive behaviour and bullying towards staff.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018OHL promotes the organisation as one which operates under te ao M\u0101ori principles. However, the treatment [the employee] has endured, and the steps taken to attempt to dismiss him do not reflect those principles,\u2019\u2019 one document alleged.<\/p>\n
The staff member had been lured to Te K\u0101ika from overseas because of his belief in the vision but had been left disillusioned, the personal grievance said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Instead of being raised up, mentored and motivated he has instead been bullied and ridiculed … to breaking point,\u2019\u2019 it claimed.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018In general, [he] is disappointed that an organisation such as OHL would allow a young M\u0101ori … (or any employee) to be treated in that way that he has experienced. [He] saw OHL and its services as an organisation that would want to promote and support young M\u0101ori leaders in the community.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
In a statement to the\u00a0ODT, Ms Matahaere-Atariki refused to address the allegations of an adverse workplace culture or the claims of bullying.<\/p>\n
Both questions elicited the same response.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We will not comment on gossip, rumours and anonymous sources.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Any criticism of the chief executive was unwarranted, Ms Matahaere-Atariki said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The board is pleased with the new sense of accountability, transparency and reporting set in place by Mr Matahaere.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Climbing the ladder<\/p>\n
When Mr Matahaere addressed the Christchurch Hip Hop Summit as a guest speaker a few months before his swift elevation to his current role he was asked for advice about building community.<\/p>\n
His reply: \u2018\u2018Lift as you climb.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018If you don\u2019t bring others with you, what we\u2019ll do is get to a bottleneck where we have a culture that\u2019s disconnected from the young people coming through. So if you\u2019re in a position of power, your role is to push resources out and bring others up. And if you\u2019re not doing that then sometimes I think we need to reassess where we are and what we want to do in life,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
But as Mr Matahaere climbed the ranks to top the ladder at Te K\u0101ika, instead of being lifted, some of those beneath him fell off.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018When we moved into the hub, that\u2019s when it all really fell to pieces for the clinic, I think,\u2019\u2019 a former member of the primary health team said.<\/p>\n
Another felt the restructure that followed \u2018\u2018culled everyone [Mr Matahaere] couldn\u2019t control\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0ODT\u00a0understands it resulted in seven personal grievances through which outgoing staff were paid out.<\/p>\n
Despite the charity shelling out, Ms Matahaere-Atariki said Te K\u0101ika ensured it followed \u2018\u2018due process with regard to all employment transactions\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We underwent a restructure following the appointment of Mr Matahaere as chief executive to bring about greater efficiencies and economies of scale and ensure we were best positioned to deliver on KPIs.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
She said the figure of $260,000 listed as \u2018\u2018termination benefits\u2019\u2019 in the most recent audit included the appointment of expert legal and human resources consultants as well as other associated costs.<\/p>\n
Ms Matahaere-Atariki said the Employment Relations Authority had recorded a high rate of such claims being successful, and industry groups had noted a 50-60% \u2018\u2018surge\u2019\u2019 in employer requests for restructuring support, \u2018\u2018reflecting broader workforce pressures and organisational change nationwide\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
When asked how many staff had been paid out since Mr Matahaere\u2019s appointment, she declined to provide a number.<\/p>\n
Nor would she tell the\u00a0ODT\u00a0how many resignations there have been in the past three years.<\/p>\n
Ms Matahaere-Atariki instead chose to focus on the broader picture.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Te K\u0101ika is not alone in facing recruitment challenges,\u2019\u2019 Ms Matahaere-Atariki said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It is common knowledge that New Zealand\u2019s healthcare sector is facing critical recruitment challenges … highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, long-term strategies to train, attract and retain staff to maintain effective healthcare delivery\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
AS the\u00a0ODT\u2019s inquiries into Te K\u0101ika progressed, the resistance grew.<\/p>\n
After a staff member was interviewed at her home, Mr Matahaere wrote complaining about the approach and supposed access to \u2018\u2018confidential personal details\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
He said he was \u2018\u2018deeply troubled by the implication that [the reporter] may have accessed our internal staff database or obtained details through inappropriate means\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The name of the employee was on Te K\u0101ika\u2019s website and her address was publicly available through the electoral roll.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the incident, a source provided the phone number of an embattled Te K\u0101ika doctor.<\/p>\n
When Mr Matahaere discovered the GP had been contacted, he called the\u00a0ODT\u00a0and voiced his concern, suggesting illegal methods had been employed.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It wouldn\u2019t be the first time that reporters have got into trouble for hacking into systems and getting people\u2019s numbers, right?\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Well, you do have an English accent, right? So,\u00a0Daily Mail\u00a0UK. I mean, it goes hand in hand, doesn\u2019t it?\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
After being reassured there had been no illicit technological trickery involved, Mr Matahaere invited the\u00a0ODT\u00a0to meet him at The Hub.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018I\u2019m always open to engage with media, I\u2019m always open for a coffee, bro. Let\u2019s just be honest, mate, and we\u2019d always just put everything on the table,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
But that offer was quickly rescinded and by April a Christchurch PR professional became the contact point for all media inquiries.<\/p>\n
Mr Matahaere would not meet for an interview, she said.<\/p>\n