Leaked Darleen Tana report reveals details of investigation, claims husband’s evidence incoherent
The allegations relate to Tana’s husband Christian Hoff-Nielsen’s bicycle firm, wherein claims of lacking pay fashioned a grievance to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). Hoff-Nielsen has denied the allegations.
A piece of investigator Rachel Burt’s report, leaked to Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive present, outlined the target to determine whether or not Tana – who was reportedly concerned in her husband’s enterprise – was “operationally involved in E-Cycles NZ when the breaches of employment standards or conditions are alleged to have taken place”.
Burt admitted the investigation had been “complicated” as she couldn’t compel witnesses to talk to her or direct what paperwork she may obtain.
“Consequently, in this investigation, I was presented by some witnesses with seemingly selective or partial information, and by others with information that was voluminous and relevance unclear,” the leaked report mentioned.
She recognized key difficulties being the 2 complainants not wanting to satisfy her “at the outset” and solely offering sure paperwork and folks she deemed related not eager to be interviewed.
Burt additionally discovered Hoff-Nielsen had not offered a “coherent or consistent verbal account” and his evidence “tended to obfuscate rather than elucidate”.
“[Tana’s] evidence shifted over the investigation with different explanations as to why that was so, requiring significant cross-referencing to earlier accounts and documentation to come to findings.”
She added {that a} consultant of a complainant additionally despatched her 500 pages of “new and relevant” data simply as she was finalising her draft report.
“Consequently the investigation process took longer than anticipated, and coming to findings as required time-consuming and considered analysis.”
Both Swarbrick and co-leader Marama Davidson had beforehand expressed frustration that the investigation had dragged on, lasting 114 days earlier than Swarbrick spoke to media on Monday.
Tana has been contacted for remark.
In a press release, Green Party whip Ricardo Menéndez March mentioned he wouldn’t present touch upon the report’s contents till “all named parties have been consulted with”.
Adam Pearse is a political reporter within the NZ Herald Press Gallery staff, based mostly at Parliament. He has labored for NZME since 2018, protecting sport and well being for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei earlier than transferring to the NZ Herald in Auckland, protecting Covid-19 and crime.
