23 April 2026
Ganma
[FYI request #33752 email]
Dear Ganma
Thank you for your request of 17 February 2026 to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities for
information under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act). I have answered your individual
questions below.
1. As at 19 December 2025, how many of the Chief Information Officer’s direct reports did
the CIO know prior to their tenure at Kāinga Ora?
As at 19 December 2025, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) had 12 direct reports. Of those direct
reports, the CIO knew two individuals prior to their tenure at Kāinga Ora.
Both individuals were engaged as contractors for specific short-term work. The remaining direct
reports were not known to the CIO prior to their appointment at Kāinga Ora.
2. For the roles that were held as at 19 December 2025 by people known to the CIO prior to
their tenure at Kāinga Ora, were those roles advertised on the Kāinga Ora careers
webpage? If so, how many internal applicants applied and how many were interviewed?
The two individuals were engaged as independent contractors to deliver discrete, time-bound
pieces of work requiring specialist expertise and specific outcomes, separate from permanent or
fixed-term positions.
These engagements did not involve fil ing a vacancy or an established, budgeted role. As no
employee roles existed, there were no positions to advertise on the Kāinga Ora careers webpage
and subsequently no internal applicants to interview.
3. Of those that were known to the CIO prior to their tenure at Kāinga Ora, did the CIO
declare this as a conflict of interest?
Yes. The CIO declared the existing relationships with both contractors before they were engaged.
These declarations were made to the Chief People and Assurance Officer.
4. Of those that were known to the CIO prior to their tenure at Kāinga Ora, was the CIO
included in any way whatsoever in their employment or contracting, including shortlisting,
interviewing, or sign-off?
Yes. The CIO was directly involved in the engagement of the two contractors.
This involvement related to the direct sourcing and engagement of contractors for specialist, short-
term work and was consistent with Kāinga Ora procurement guidance and standard practice for
contractor engagements.
5. Given staff reports, did Matthew Crockett and Tracey Taylor know each other in any way,
shape, or form prior to working together at Kāinga Ora?
Matthew Crocket did not know Tracey Taylor and had not previously worked with her prior to her
appointment at Kāinga Ora.
6. What is the cost associated with the change whereby the Head of Data and Insights now
reports to the Chief Information Officer rather than the Chief Financial Officer?
The change in reporting line for the Head of Data and Insights was a minor change as part of
phase one of the Digital and IT restructure. Consultation on this change began on 20 January
2026, with the decision confirmed on 11 February 2026.
There was no specific additional financial cost associated with this change. The move did not
create a new role, did not involve the use of external contractors for delivery, and was implemented
using internal resources. The change results in a consolidation of roles and therefore delivers a
cost saving overall. Kāinga Ora has not estimated staff time costs associated with this change.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. There
is Information about how to make a complaint at
https:/ www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by
freephone
on 0800 802 602.
Please note that Kāinga Ora proactively releases our responses to official information requests
where possible. Our response to your request may be published at
https:/ kaingaora.govt.nz/publications/official-information-requests/ with your personal information
removed.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Kaio
Chief People and Assurance Officer
