David Farrar: Labour’s record of terrible Police appointments

Unlike other public service entities who are appointed by the Public Service Commissioner, the Commissioner and statutory Deputy Commissioners of Police are selected by the Prime Minister. There are usually multiple qualified candidates, and they get to pick the one that they think will do the best job.

And Labour’s record is almost beyond belief – they managed to pick four “duds” in a row. Not one, not two, not. three but all four of their appointments turned out to be seriously flawed.

Their four appointments were:

• Wally Haumaha appointed by PM Ardern in June 2018 as Deputy Commissioner. Transpired he had defended officers accused of raping Louise Nicholas, and was accused of bullying by three different female government staff. He called convicted rapist Brad Shipton a “big softie” and Bob Schollum a “legend” with women. Another office said that Haumaha said “we have to stick together” in regard to the Louise Nicholas allegations against the men. The IPCA said his behaviour was improper, inappropriate, unprofessional, belittling and humiliating.

• Andy Coster appointed by PM Ardern in April 2020. The IPCA said that Commissioner Coster failed to inform the PSC panel his knowledge of Deputy McSkimming’s relationship, inappropriately tried to influence the NIU’s investigation into Ms Z’s complaint and to persuade the IPCA that the matter could be resolved quickly. which he sought to bring a serious criminal investigation to an unduly rapid conclusion so that it did not impact on a job application process.

• Tania Kura appointed by PM Hipkins in April 2023. The IPCA said that Kura failed to make sufficiently robust enquiries, failed to refer the allegations to the NIU and the IPCA.

• Jevon McSkimming appointed by PM Hipkins in April 2023. Has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.

Ardern and Hipkins are just the unluckiest Prime Ministers around to have had all four of their top Police appointments turn out to be sub-standard by pure coincidence.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders.