King wants report on CYF spending

State Services Minister Annette King has asked for a report on the $70,000 spent recruiting outgoing Child, Youth and Family chief executive Paula Tyler from Canada.

This is despite an apparent defence of the spending by State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble in yesterday's Sunday Star-Times.

Ms Tyler arrived 18 months ago to take charge of the troubled agency, but announced recently that she was returning early to Canada because her partner had been appointed to a job there. Her contract was for three years.

In response to an Official Information Act request from National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee, Dr Prebble confirmed nearly $70,000 had been spent on travel, accommodation and relocation costs for Ms Tyler and her partner, Peter Kruselnicki.

Mr Brownlee said public servants paid high relocation costs who did not complete their contracts should be required to pay the money back.

The spending included multiple airfares for Mr Kruselnicki between Canada and Wellington and payment for household furnishings which Mr Brownlee said were excessive and "in part, should be paid back".

"I am especially intrigued as to why the taxpayer contributed anything towards Ms Tyler's partner's expenses when Ms Tyler was still only a prospective candidate."

Dr Prebble's information does not say how much was paid towards Ms Tyler's household furnishing and Mr Brownlee said he wanted to know.

Some relocation costs for chief executives recruited overseas were acceptable but "it's absolute madness that the taxpayer is paying for household items for public servants", Mr Brownlee said.

Dr Prebble said Ms Tyler was entitled to keep household items but would have to pay for shipping.