23323 (2023).
Brooke
van Velden
to the Minister of Housing (07 Aug 2023): Have any conflicts of interest been identified, if any, in relation to the proposed Kāinga Ora development at Teitei Drive in Ohakune, and if any have, what are the details of these conflicts of interest and what measures, if any, have been taken to resolve them?
Hon Dr
Megan
Woods
(Minister of Housing) replied: Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities advises me that one staff member has declared a conflict of interest in relation to the proposed Kāinga Ora development at Teitei Drive in Ohakune. The staff member has an interest in a property neighbouring the development and verbally declared this in October 2022 when the staff member joined the project team. The staff member was not leading the project which is a partnership with Ruapehu District Council, who owns the land, and Ngāti Rangi, the Central North Island iwi. All decisions regarding the project are made mutually by the three parties.
A written declaration was made in August 2023 as part of this year's annual declarations. However, this declaration should have been made earlier.
Noting the perception of conflict and an individual being singled out, Kāinga Ora is giving this matter further consideration to ensure the perceived conflict has been managed appropriately.
This is also my answer to WPQs 23767 and 23769 (2023).