Employment Relations Authority - Conflict of Interest Statements
Erika Whittome made this Official Information request to Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
The request was refused by Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.
From: Erika Whittome
Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,
This is a request to the Employment Relations Authority which comes under MBIE.
I refer to the Crown Law response here https://fyi.org.nz/request/32630/respons...
This document on page 64 mentions four members of the ERA in this advice who are:
Claire English
Shane Kinley (I understand Mr Kinley is not a member at present).
Sarah Blick
and Andrew Gane.
Would you please share the 'conflict of interest' statements for these members? Specifically any conflicts resulting from the advice from a previous public role and duties to two different organisations?
Yours faithfully,
Erika Whittome
From: NoReplyMinisterialServices
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Kia ora Erika Whittome,
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 25/11/2025 requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, the following:
This is a request to the Employment Relations Authority which comes under
MBIE.
I refer to the Crown Law response here
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
This document on page 64 mentions four members of the ERA in this advice
who are:
Claire English
Shane Kinley (I understand Mr Kinley is not a member at present).
Sarah Blick
and Andrew Gane.
Would you please share the 'conflict of interest' statements for these
members? Specifically any conflicts resulting from the advice from a
previous public role and duties to two different organisations?
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 23/12/2025, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe. If you have any enquiries
regarding your request feel free to contact us via email to
[1][MBIE request email].
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
Strategy and Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 | P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[MBIE request email]
From: Ministerials
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Kia ora
Please find attached MBIE's response to your information request.
Ngā mihi nui,
MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Group Business & Ministerial Services, Office for the Deputy Secretary
Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140
From: Erika Whittome
Dear Ministerials,
I have lodged a complaint with the ombudsman. According to the processes here https://oag.parliament.nz/good-practice/..., “ Conflict of interest “ statements are a standard thing in government.
Yours sincerely,
Erika Whittome
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).

