25 Sep 2018

Derek Handley releases texts with Jacinda Ardern - analysis

From Morning Report, 7:15 am on 25 September 2018

In early September it was revealed tech entrepreneur Derek Handley was offered the role of the country's first Chief Technology Officer, but will now be paid out $100,000 after the offer was retracted by the government. Mr Handley has now said in a statement, saying: "To this day, I have still not had any communication from the government explaining why the role which I was appointed to was withdrawn. Neither have I heard personally from Minister Hipkins, Minister Woods or the Prime Minister during this challenging time, which has been disappointing from a government that highlights compassion and kindness as hallmarks of their leadership." He has released his text correspondence with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, which involves several texts and replies. In Parliament however, Ms Ardern said she received a text in April and did not reply. Guyon Espiner talks through the details with Jane Patterson.