Minister requests Wintec briefing

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has asked for a briefing on Wintec after it was revealed the tertiary provider spent $175,000 on legal fees to avoid an interview as part of a Waikato Times investigation.

A spokesman for the minister confirmed yesterday that Hipkins had asked the Tertiary Education Commission for a briefing.

‘‘The issue has been raised and he wants to understand it fully,’’ spokesman Richard Trow said.

‘‘There are a few issues in the media relating to Wintec at the moment, and he’s asked TEC what, if any, information they have on them.’’

The latest development comes after it was revealed that Wintec spent $175,000 to ward off the interview in a Waikato Times investigation into allegations made against the institution and its chief executive, Mark Flowers.

The two-year investigation has been fraught with obstacles, including Flowers’ issuing not-for-publication answers to the reporter’s questions through his legal team at Bell Gully.

Wintec board chairman Barry Harris on December 1 acknowledged a confidential 2015 investigation into allegations against Wintec and Flowers. The investigation cleared Flowers.

Sheryl Richards, a former senior human resource adviser who worked at Wintec for six years, wrote to the minister on Sunday outlining her concerns and a list of former executives who would be willing to give evidence if a ministerial inquiry were to happen.

Richards said she was pleased the matters were now being looked into.

‘‘I’m surprised and heartened by Chris Hipkins’ response,’’ she said.

‘‘I’m one of many that have concerns that have never been properly addressed. It’s been a long journey for so many and I hope the matter is properly investigated.’’

Former Labour MP Sue Moroney, who backed Richards’ call for a ministerial inquiry, said she was pleased that the matter is now being looked at.

Moroney became aware of issues in March, with the more serious allegations coming to her in July from former and current Wintec staff.

‘‘I’m really pleased to see that the minister is taking the matter seriously, the Tertiary Education Commission is the appropriate organisation to get to the bottom of this and I hope that they are thorough in their investigation,’’ Moroney said.

‘‘I’ll be happy when there’s an outcome that means that the public knows that it has full transparency over how taxpayer money has been used and that the affected Wintec staff can feel that their concerns are being heard and addressed.’’