Service head apologises over Rankin legal threat

By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor

The country's top public servant, State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham, has apologised for not warning the Government about Christine Rankin's threats of legal action against MP Sue Bradford.

Ms Rankin, the chief executive of Work and Income NZ, has been criticised for not forewarning the Government of her demand for a retraction and an apology from the Green Party's Ms Bradford over comments she made in a newspaper article.

But she had alerted Mr Wintringham's deputy, Ross Tanner, last Friday and asked him to keep it confidential.

He told Mr Wintringham the same day.

Yet Mr Wintringham failed to alert State Services Minister Trevor Mallard.

Yesterday, a spokesman said, he apologised to Mr Mallard for the mistake.

Chief executives are expected to alert ministers to any matters which could be politically sensitive.

It is not clear whether Ms Rankin believed she was fulfilling this "no surprises" dictum when she contacted Mr Tanner.

But Mr Wintringham said it would have been preferable if Ms Rankin had told Social Services Minister Steve Maharey directly.

It also appears that Mr Wintringham missed a chance to counsel against Ms Rankin's legal threat.

Mr Mallard said the commissioner had not advised her against seeking redress from Ms Bradford because he found out "after the fact," a view Mr Wintringham confirmed.

But the letter from Ms Rankin's lawyer to Ms Bradford was sent on Monday, three days after Ms Rankin alerted State Services.

A Winz spokeswoman said Ms Rankin would not comment on her action or on her possible reappointment.

Ministers are determined she should not stay on when her three-year term expires in July.

She has taken legal advice about her options should she not be offered a second term.