Source: Radio New Zealand
Andrew Coster resigned from the Social Investment Agency (SIA) last year following the police watchdog’s damning report. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Former police commissioner Andrew Coster told staff he was “sorry” to be leaving the Social Investment Agency following a scathing report by the police watchdog.
Coster resigned from the Social Investment Agency (SIA) last year following the police watchdog’s damning report into police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
RNZ has obtained a series of messages and emails from Coster in relation to his resignation under the Official Information Act.
On 27 November, a week before his resignation was announced, Coster messaged the engagement and communications manager and acting chief executive.
“Please keep developments as discussed today under your hat until confirmed. Timing looks more likely to be next week. Will keep you posted.”
Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz
He also messaged his executive assistant asking them to “hold off until it’s been announced”.
“Lest we start a rumour prematurely.”
On 3 December, RNZ approached the SIA, Coster and the Public Service Commission with questions about his resignation.
About an hour later Coster emailed all SIA staff telling them he was leaving.
“It is with sadness that I announce today my resignation from my role as Secretary for Social Investment, effective from 1 December.”
Coster said it had been “an absolute pleasure and privilege” to work at the agency.
“I want to thank every one of you for the hard work and commitment that has seen us achieve such a lot in the last year. I have been incredibly impressed by the quality of the people we have in the organisation and your willingness to go above and beyond to deliver on the challenging work programme we have had.
“I’m sorry that I won’t be continuing this journey with you. However, I will watch with interest, as you continue to pursue better outcomes for all New Zealanders.”
Two hours later he wrote a similar email to the Social Investment Board, thanking them for their “wisdom shared and important input”.
“As you all appreciate better than I do, this is an incredibly important opportunity for New Zealand, and I’m sorry that I won’t be continuing this journey with you.
“I’ve valued our conversations and the forthright perspective each of you has brought to assist the Agency in its work. We are the better for it.”
In an earlier statement to RNZ, Coster said his resignation was “a result of my acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings” identified in the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report.
“I regret the impact on the young woman at the centre of this matter and sincerely apologise to her for the distress caused.
“I accept that I was too ready to trust and accept at face value Deputy Commissioner McSkimming’s disclosure and explanations to me. I should have been faster and more thorough in looking into the matter.”
Coster acknowledged he should have more fully investigated the allegations when they were brought to his attention, “rather than assuming that their previous disclosure to senior Police staff a few years earlier would have resulted in an investigation if necessary”.
“It is clear that Police’s handling of the whole matter was lacking and that I was ultimately responsible for those matters. It was sobering to read of a number of missed opportunities which should have proceeded differently and more appropriately.”
Coster welcomed Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche’s acknowledgement that the report made no finding of corruption or cover-up, nor did the IPCA find any evidence of any actions involving officers consciously doing the wrong thing or setting out to undermine the integrity of the organisation.
“I made decisions honestly. I acted in good faith. I sought to take all important factors into account with the information I had at the time. While it is not possible to alter past events, I am prepared to take responsibility – I got this wrong.
“I want to apologise to all members of the NZ Police. They work hard every day to keep our communities safe. I know they have been adversely affected by these events.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
