ACC Minister did not tell chief to quit

Ralph Stewart. Photo / Supplied

ACC Minister Judith Collins says she did not tell ACC chief executive Ralph Stewart to resign.

"I've simply said to Mr Stewart, was he sure of that decision and he was, and actually I feel quite sorry for Mr Stewart, he's had a tough time,'' she said.

Mr Stewart announced today he would stand down after just eight months in the role, becoming the latest senior ACC leader to go after the Bronwyn Pullar fiasco.

His resignation comes a day after ACC chairman John Judge was effectively forced out of his job and his deputy John McLiskie and another director Rob Campbell were also told they would not be reappointed.

Ms Collins admitted there was a culture problem within ACC but would not go as far as saying the chief executive was to blame.

"I don't want to attribute culture to one particular person but I think it is important for the direction of ACC that the board shares my vision about where I would like ACC to be - where it is able to meet the demands that New Zealanders expect of it,'' she said.

"I think there have been some unfortunate incidences that have been highlighted recently. I think that is unprofessional and not the sort of attitude I want.Yes, there have been privacy breaches,''

She would not disclose the reason Mr Stewart had stood down or if he would receive a payout on departure.

"He said to me yesterday afternoon that he felt that it was time for him to move on and he'd advised the board chair of that,'' she said.

She would not say why he had decided to move on.

Ms Collins said she would not apologise to Bronwyn Pullar or Michelle Boag.