How Maoate changed top job pick
Why was recommendation for Finance Secretary overturned?

Once again, the Demo Government has demonstrated irresponsible and knee jerk reaction over the handling of the appointments process for the Financial Secretary position.
On Thursday, the Demo Cabinet confirmed the appointment of Sholan Ivaiti and yet the recommendation of the panel was supportive towards appointing Geoff Stoddart. This was based on Dr Maoate’s insistence that a “local” should get the position.
Our concerns are not related to the persons. Both are suitable candidates in their own way. However, with a bit more experience, exposure and “down to earth” practical understanding of where our people and country are at, they will make good managers in future.
They certainly have the potential and we would support in principle, either in due course.
PROCESS
Our concerns, however, are relative to the process of appointment. Firstly, does Stoddart not hold PR? If so, what does that make him a local or an expatriate?
Is it not true that Dr Maoate was “pressured” by the “big boys in business” not to appoint Stoddart because of his hard-nosed but honest approach to consistent tax evaders and avoiders?
Have his rights been contravened under the Constitution by virtue of discrimination or the fact that the colour of his skin is white while Ivaiti’s is brown? Did Government consider very carefully this matter before making their decision or was it in haste to satisfy the demands of an irate Dr Maoate?
TIMING
The lead up to the Budget process is a critical time and it is our view, that the timing of the appointment is inappropriate.
It would have been better to retain Kevin Carr until the Budget process was completed to avoid “mistakes” occurring that could potentially ruin the careers of either persons selected and for him to counterpart the successful applicant during this process and more importantly, stuff up the Budget process itself. Imagine the ramifications to the country as a whole if that occurred.
When CIP was in Coalition, Sir Geoffrey had embarked on a process to enter into a partnership with Treasury in NZ to “twin” potential strategic managers within MFEM to encourage them to eventually take over the top position.
The ground work had already been done during the visit to the ADB Conference in Turkey in 2005 where contact had been made with senior officials from NZ and the Cook Islands but sadly like everything else, nothing became of this initiative because it was not “their” idea. ( Demo Governments )
EXAMPLE
This is yet another example of irresponsible decision making at the top. However, the risks and the stakes are higher because of the incompetence at the decision making level versus the inexperience and uncertainties at the strategic management level.
We believe the risks are too great and any mistake by Government in terms of the Budget process may have serious consequences for the country as a whole because of poor judgement and advice over an appointment.
Whatever the outcome, Government must be seen to doing the right thing, to be transparent in its deliberations and to put aside “personal political preferences” when making critical appointments to top positions in Government in preference to merit, experience and qualifications.
It is unfair to have the issues of these 2 people scrutinized in the public arena at the behest of an irresponsible Government.
One wonders what will be next?.

Headlines : Times 189 26 Feb 2007
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Headlines : Times 188 19 Feb 2007
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