Minister loses confidence in Fire and Emergency CEO for withholding 'significant' information

Minister for Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says she has lost confidence in Fire and Emergency’s chief executive Kerry Gregory, who she says kept information from her about a “seriously significant incident” for a whole year.

Speaking to media from Parliament this afternoon, van Velden revealed she has referred Fire and Emergency to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

“I have become aware of a serious breach of the no surprises within Fire and Emergency, it is of a nature that is so significant that I no longer have confidence in the chief executive of Fire and Emergency or have confidence that the information that I’m receiving is correct,” the minister said.

Asked if she could share details, van Velden said: “I can’t, not at this time, given that it has been referred to the SFO”.

“I’m not at the ability to disclose further information, all that I can say is that within the last fortnight, I’ve been made aware that significant information was withheld from me by the chief executive of Fire and Emergency for a full year, even after he received external advice telling him that he needed to let me know.

“I immediately contacted the board chair as well as the chief executive to let them know that I have no longer any confidence in the chief executive of Fire and Emergency,” she said.

“Having information of a significant nature withheld from me is not something I would expect of a senior official within the public service.”

Van Velden confirmed it is a “completely separate issue” from the Fire and Emergency fleet inquiry, which led the organisation to apologise for its “shortcomings” this week.

The inquiry found weaknesses, unacceptable delays, and that the emergency service did not perform to a high enough standard in several important areas.

Fire and Emergency has been approached for comment.

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.