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Senior Corrections official Topia Rameka has quit the department following concerns about his conduct, the boss of the prison service has confirmed.
Until August 4 Rameka was deputy chief executive - Māori before his sudden departure 10 days ago.
“In the week prior to his resignation, information was received which raised concerns regarding his conduct. He resigned before an investigation could commence,” Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot said in a statement to the Herald this evening.
Newsroom is reporting Rameka was the subject of complaints from female employees.
He also allegedly arrived late and appearing intoxicated to a group meeting at a wānanga in Taupō where he questioned whether some Corrections staff were even Māori, Newsroom reported.
The Herald has not been able to independently verify all the allegations in the Newsroom story.
Lightfoot’s statement did not elaborate on the specific allegations.
“I have a duty of care to protect anyone who provides me with information regarding a staff member’s conduct, and ensuring their trust, confidence, and wellbeing is my absolute priority,” Lightfoot said.
“For this reason, I will not be providing further details at this time.”
Former Corrections Deputy chief executive - Māori Topia Rameka recently quit the department under a cloud.
Minister of Corrections Kelvin Davis today confirmed to media he had been informed “there was an issue” relating to Rameka two weeks ago during his usual briefing, and he subsequently asked what the response had been to the concerns raised.
However, Davis said it wasn’t a matter he should wade into, saying it was an “employment issue.
“Look, I just think it’s something that Corrections has handled, it’s not for me to be involved in any of those employment decisions.”
Asked whether he was concerned about the behaviour, Davis said he liked to think everybody in any department was always safe.
Davis said he had known Rameka through the National Iwi Chairs Forum but did not know him on a “personal basis”.
He was confident there were “many, many talented Māori” who could fill Rameka’s former role.
Rameka has been deputy chief executive officer - Māori since August 2019.
Newsroom reported staff were concerned about Rameka’s negative attitude to the Hōkai Rangi strategy, created the same year as his appointment to address over-representation of Māori in prisons.
His role was created as part of the Hōkai Rangi strategy.
A press release from Davis in 2019 announcing Rameka’s appointment said his skills and experience would be instrumental in the department’s work to improve outcomes for Māori and their whānau.
“The first action point outlined in Hōkai Rangi was to provide strong Māori leadership within the department. The newly developed role of deputy chief executive – Māori will ensure a dedicated Māori voice at the top table, at all times,” Davis said.
Before his appointment, Rameka was chief executive of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board.
