John McLean: Cozy Coffee With Coster

New Zealand’s Public Service Commissioner remains strangely loyal to a disgraced ex-Police Commissioner

On 15 January 2026, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche met with former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. They met in public, at Mojo Café near Parliament, six weeks after Coster had resigned as CEO of the Social Investment Agency.

Allow me to refresh your memories. Andrew Coster tried to anoint child and bestiality porn criminal Jevon McSkimming as Coster’s successor as Police Commissioner. Coster did so in full knowledge that McSkimming was, as Deputy Police Commissioner, sexually predating upon a young woman.

Matua Kahurangi: Coster exposes Hipkins - The Minister who knew everything and said nothing

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster’s interview with Jack Tame on Q&A is a bomb that has blown apart what little remained of Chris Hipkins’ political credibility. The timeline is clean, simple and devastating. It shows that Hipkins was fully briefed about Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming’s affair with a younger woman long before the matter erupted publicly. When the scandal finally broke, Hipkins reverted to his favourite political defence. He knew nothing. He remembered nothing. He was never told.

Coster’s account makes that position impossible to swallow.

Peter Dunne: Andrew Coster resignation

In the wake of the Jevon McSkimming scandal, the resignation of former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency was not unexpected. Both the criticisms of Coster's judgement on the McSkimming case when Police Commissioner that were highlighted in the Independent Police Complaints Authority report and the sensitivity of his new role at the Social Investment Agency made his continued employment in a senior public service role untenable.

Ryan Bridge: Is Coster really sorry?

Andrew Coster's three weeks of silence and negotiating speaks volumes about the sincerity of the apology delivered yesterday.

If you really felt that way, if you hadn't until yesterday realised what had gone on, which he had of course, he saw the report long before any of us did, then surely, you'd have come straight out starting blocks with an apology to Ms Z.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Coster did nothing wrong, but still had to go

In the end, I think Andrew Coster had to go.

Look, you realize he's won a big victory today, don't you? Cause it's a big admission from the Public Service commissioner today that Andrew Coster didn't do anything wrong himself.

He hadn't committed any personal wrongdoing and it's a big admission also that there was no cover-up.

Pee Kay: He Was….

…Ardern’s personal choice!

The New Zealand Police Commissioner is appointed by the Governor- General based on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

He was…according to Ardern, “Going to lead a team of 13,000 people across the country with positivity, inclusion and integrity” WRONG!!! AGAIN!!!

Ani O'Brien: Rot Part 3 - Coster's legacy and the political fallout

Part Three: What the McSkimming scandal means for politics in New Zealand

When corruption takes root in our institutions, it doesn’t stay contained. It spreads quietly, politically, sometimes strategically, and sometimes like a weed growing uncontrolled and putting down roots. The scandal now engulfing the Police isn’t just about bad cops or weak leadership. It’s about the decisions, alliances, and cowardice that allowed that culture to fester for years right under the noses of ministers, journalists, and senior bureaucrats who should have stopped it.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: We all know how this is going to end for Andrew Coster

Well, I think we can all see how this is going to end for Andrew Coster, and we could see that last night - he's gonna lose his job running a Government agency.

No one in charge can say that yet because of employment law, but it is absolutely going to happen - because there is no way that a man can do what he has done at the highest levels of police and then possibly continue to earn an income from the taxpayer. Him losing his job is the right outcome here.

Ryan Bridge: The clock for Coster is now ticking

Coster is a dead man walking at this point.

Anyone not completely brainwashed during Covid could see there was something a bit off about him - this IPCA report is proof they were right.

Capitalist: Must Be Designed to Fail

You can imagine my hoots of derisive laughter at Andrew Coster being named head of the ‘Social Investment Agency’ (don’t worry, no one else had ever heard of it either until a couple of days ago) in order to “...[advise] the government on commissioning services for vulnerable people...” according to the NZ Herald. The article rather hilariously talks about a ‘hiring process’ and other twaddle, suggesting Coster’s job isn’t anything other than being fired as police commissioner and a government too sooky to pass a special bill through parliament officially firing him, as I would happily have done.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: I hope our next Police Commissioner is tougher on crime

So, Andrew Coster has resigned as Police Commissioner and he's got himself a new job.

He's going to be running the Government's new Social Investment Agency - and I reckon he's going to be good at this.

I acknowledge this might not be a popular appointment, I think a lot of people will see this for what it probably is - which is that it feels an awful lot like a job that’s been given to him to get him to leave the police because the Government doesn't want him there.

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Andrew Coster not seeking a second term will upset almost no one

So Andrew Coster has revealed he will not be seeking a second term as Police Commissioner.  

Which will upset...almost no one. 

I think most of us will be happy to see the back of him. 

Because while he does seem like a decent and smart guy, he has been rubbish at the job.

Kerre Woodham: Where was the buy in from the police?

Late in the show yesterday, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster along with Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced they would be introducing a National Gang Unit to crack down on gang crime and gangs’ anti-social behaviour.

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Coster's new plan for gangs sounds very familiar

Well, you can’t keep a good idea down, can you?

Strike Force Raptor is back! Do you remember that? That was Simon Bridges' big crime plan when he was the National Party leader in opposition.

He announced a dedicated anti-gang police squad called Strike Force Raptor which would go around "harassing and disrupting gangs every single day”. He was mocked for it and the idea was put to bed.

Francesca Rudkin: We all want to feel safe in our homes

I'm quite impressed that Mark Mitchell has made his letter of expectations to the Police Commissioner, Andrew Coster, public.

Of course, it's normal for an incoming Police Minister to outline expectations to the Police Commissioner, a Commissioner, who's often been employed by the previous government. But this is the first time it has been released.

Point of Order: Williams has faith in data on Police recruiting but gang growth numbers are – a bit bent?

Police Minister Poto Williams was responsible for one of just two new ministerial press statements at time of checking on what the Beehive mob are up to.

She was obviously delighted to be able to end the week with something to crow about (she used the word “celebrated”):

Barry Soper: Labour is abusing its absolute power

What's happening to democracy in this country, let alone the promised transparency of this Government?

Labour is abusing its absolute power and it seems those opposing it are powerless to do anything about it because majority rules.

A couple of weeks ago National wanted Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to appear before the Justice Select Committee to answer questions about the three-week occupation of Parliament's grounds by protesters.

The Labour majority of MPs on the committee blocked their request, arguing the Independent Police Conduct Authority was the "appropriate place for the review of police operational activities".