Airways lifts lid on senior staff

By JAMES GARDINER

Two of the three senior Airways Corporation executives based in London for nearly a year working on the failed $2 million bid to take over British air traffic control have left the New Zealand corporation.

Last year the corporation said the expense of the international venture was justified despite its failure because of the experience it gave staff.

But when questioned this year about the departure of the two top managers it refused to say when or where they went, or give any other information, citing privacy grounds.

Now, following intervention by the Office of the Ombudsmen after the Weekend Herald lodged a complaint, the corporation has acknowledged the departure of international general manager Paul Woodbury and chief financial officer John Bole.

It suggested there was no danger of the knowledge they gained from being part of the international bid process being gained by a competitor.

Their new employers were not involved, to the corporation's knowledge, in the bidding for the British company, nor were they in competition with Airways, said legal counsel Dominique Hopkinson.

In its annual report, the corporation said although the bid failed in March last year, it had "gained considerably" from the experience. More than $300,000 was spent on airfares, accommodation and other expenses.

The decision to base the pair in London, along with chief executive Craig Sinclair, made headlines two years ago when NZ First leader Winston Peters made allegations in Parliament of conflicts of interest and payments of "hush money".

Auditor-General David Macdonald found no evidence of improper behaviour.

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