The Education Ministry has initiated an external investigation into leaks and requested assistance from RNZ.
An email shared by the ministry today expressed deep concern about unauthorized disclosures and announced that Michael Heron, KC, would be leading the investigation.
The ministry also reached out to RNZ, inviting them to meet with Heron for a discussion about the leaked information. However, RNZ promptly declined the invitation.
This development came after RNZ reported on an email from Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche cautioning against leaks of information. The email was sent on the same day RNZ was blocked from reporting on sensitive pre-Budget details due to a court injunction.
The email to ministry staff, signed by acting deputy secretary for education Rob Campbell, highlighted the harmful impact of unauthorized leaks on the organization’s integrity and trust within teams.
The message emphasized the importance of upholding the public service principles of fairness, impartiality, responsibility, and trustworthiness. It announced the appointment of Michael Heron, KC, to conduct an independent investigation into the leaks.
The ministry’s email to RNZ mentioned the alignment of the message with RNZ’s recent reporting and proposed a meeting with Heron to discuss the leaked information.
However, RNZ declined the invitation to participate in the investigation to protect the confidentiality of their sources, citing journalism ethics and principles.
RNZ has obtained numerous confidential documents from the Education Ministry over the past year, including information on Budget decisions and ministry initiatives. These leaks have provided valuable insights into government policies and decisions.
Despite the invitation to collaborate with the investigation, RNZ remains committed to upholding journalistic integrity and protecting the identity of confidential sources.
