Approached for comment in December, the SIA said it did not comment on individual employment matters. Asked why that was and for the status of Reiri\u2019s employment, the SIA treated the follow-up questions as a request under the Official Information Act (OIA).<\/p>\n
Then, in January, the SIA released its response to an OIA request, saying it did not generally comment on individual employment matters \u201cas the disclosure of information relating to individual employees would involve the unwarranted disclosure of personal information\u201d.<\/p>\n
The following month, Reiri resigned.<\/p>\n
In an email on February 12, released to RNZ, the SIA\u2019s acting chief executive and secretary for social investment Alistair Mason said Reiri had resigned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe acknowledge the contribution Kylie has made during her time here. We thank her for her service to the organisation and wish her well for the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you may have questions, however, out of respect for Kylie\u2019s privacy, I am not able to discuss this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an OIA released to RNZ, the SIA confirmed there had been two employment investigations over the last 12 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also able to confirm that there has been one investigation in response to four formal reports of bullying and harassment. In the interest of privacy, we cannot provide a breakdown as to what each allegation was concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n
RNZ understands the investigation, which is ongoing, relates to Reiri.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a responsible employer, [the] SIA takes these matters seriously and all complaints are investigated and followed through to the end. We have robust policies and procedures to manage disclosure of any allegations, including protected disclosures (speak safe) and bullying and harassment policies, which provide informal and formal options for staff to raise concerns of serious wrongdoing and bullying and harassment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SIA said in a statement to RNZ that it could confirm Reiri had resigned from her role.<\/p>\n
About a month before the IPCA\u2019s report was released, Coster sent an email to all staff, following a meeting that day.<\/p>\n
In the email, seen by RNZ, Coster said it was important for him that the SIA was an organisation \u201cwhere each one of us feels we can bring our best to our work, in an environment that is positive and enabling\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcknowledging the wider context from the Public Service census (in which we fared well and in connection with which we have an\u202faction plan), some comments in a recent Te Rama survey have given me cause for concern. I want to be able to address any issues, to ensure this is a place where everyone feels respected and valued. To do this, I need to understand your experiences and perspectives.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo that end, I want to make myself available to meet with anyone who would like to talk. If you have something to share, please reach out to me directly. Anything you share will be treated with respect and care. I value your thoughts and insights, and I will only use what you share in a way that aligns with what you are comfortable with. I understand that speaking up isn\u2019t easy but I invite you to feel that I will listen and take action where that is required.\u201d<\/p>\n
About a month later, he emailed staff about the IPCA report.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn light of that report, I\u2019ve agreed with the Public Service Commissioner that I will take leave while we work through a process connected with it. In my absence, Alistair Mason will cover for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry to have to step out at this time. Thank you for the amazing work you\u2019re all doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, two days later, Mason emailed staff and said he\u2019d had a \u201cgood conversation with minister [Nicola] Willis last night\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe primary purpose of the conversation was her wanting to check in on the wellbeing of the agency and the staff. She wanted to know if there was anything she could do and if we are getting the support we need. Importantly, she expressed her ongoing confidence in the Social Investment Agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Social Investment [Agency] board also had an ad-hoc meeting last night and have again expressed their support for the agency and offered to lean in and support wherever they can. And of course I am in regular contact with [the] PSC [Public Service Commissioner], who are offering any support we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
In December, RNZ asked SIA Minister Nicola Willis\u2019 office for comment on the matter. It said questions were best put to the SIA.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaffing within agencies is an operational matter for which ministers don\u2019t have responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Monday, Willis\u2019 office said the minister didn\u2019t have any comment to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmployment matters within government agencies are for agency chief executives and, if warranted, the Public Service Commission to manage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reiri\u2019s profile on the SIA website, which has since been taken down, said she brought a \u201cunique blend of public and private sector experience to the Social Investment Agency\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for New Zealanders through data-driven decision making and social investment approaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 RNZ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Approached for comment in December, the SIA said it did not comment on individual employment matters. Asked why…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":332321,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[3041,3620,33092,75013,42,12898,1426,43,17363,15768,1072,40,38,41,39,8238,6123],"class_list":["post-332320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-agency","tag-bullying","tag-deputy","tag-harassment","tag-headlines","tag-investigation","tag-investment","tag-news","tag-resigns","tag-sherwood","tag-social","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories","tag-under","tag-while"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/332320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=332320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/332320\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=332320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=332320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=332320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}