KEY POINTS:
Immigration Service staff were told to override policy when they processed residence applications from members of Mary-Anne Thompson's extended family, an independent report says.
The report by former justice secretary David Oughton says Dr Thompson, the head of the Immigration Service, did not try to influence the treatment of the applications after she helped family to fill in the forms.
But at least two immigration officers did, and the result was that residence permits were granted although the applications were filed late and the quota for Kiribati was full.
Mr Oughton's report was released last night by the Labour Department, which is responsible for the Immigration Service.
The names and positions of staff involved in the case have been deleted. A key section states:
"The [deleted] and a National Office [deleted] were directly involved in instructing staff at the PAC [Pacific] Branch to override the policy regarding date of application and override the priority rights of earlier applicants who had prior claims to any available quota slots."
The report says three staff members involved in the processing were "very clear" about the way they had expressed their concerns.
"They recall the application in detail and are relieved the matter has at last been reviewed," the report says. "They regard it as reflecting badly on them, their office and the integrity of the residency permit system."
Former Secretary for Labour James Buwalda handled the case and one staff member was disciplined.
No action was taken against Dr Thompson, although it has been previously revealed she was warned about conflict of interest problems when she was helping her relatives with applications.
State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble has started his own inquiry into the way the case was dealt with by the Labour Department.
Mr Oughton interviewed numerous Immigration Service staff during his inquiry, which took place in the first half of last year.
His report traces the applications, which carried Dr Thompson's signature as the person who helped complete them, to the Manukau branch where they were processed.
It was not within his brief to say what action should be taken as a result of his report.
- NZPA
