An independent investigator has been appointed to assess whether there were conflicts of interest involving a Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency staff member.
A campaign to increase Covid-19 vaccination rates among rangatahi Māori was led by Debra Jensen. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The review will look at the agency's general manager communications, digital and marketing, Debra Jensen.
"An independent investigator has been appointed to review whether Ms Jensen has any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest or related issues in regards to her employment at Te Hiringa Hauora," Te Hiringa Hauora Chief Executive Tane Cassidy said in a statement.
"This investigation will be concluded by the end of June and Ms Jensen is providing her full cooperation with the process.
"Te Hiringa Hauora will not be providing any further comment in regards to Ms Jensen or these matters during the investigation."
The review comes after RNZ and National Party Health spokesperson Shane Reti asked questions about a $1.5million campaign to increase Covid-19 vaccination rates among rangatahi Māori, known as Ngāti Rangatahi "That's Us". It was funded by the Ministry of Health.
The project was led by Jensen.
Jensen is currently on secondment to the interim Māori Health Authority, but has remained part of the project.
Reti, who lodged a series of parliamentary written questions, after concerns were raised by constituents, welcomed the independent review.
"We want to make sure that all the checks and balances are in place. Firstly, were any conflicts of interest declared, and secondly, were they appropriately managed?"
When approached for comment Jensen said she did not want to engage in any discussion until the inquiry released its findings.
In an email sent to all Te Hiringa Hauora staff yesterday, seen by RNZ, Cassidy warned staff not to make any comments to the media and encouraged them to raise any concerns they had "through appropriate channels".
"There is so much misinformation swirling around about our projects and our people at the moment. Please be mindful that what you hear and read may not be truthful or accurate. Take care of your Hauora and keep an eye on colleagues around you," Cassidy wrote.
Te Hiringa Hauora did not answer RNZ's questions about who had been appointed to carry out the review.
Earlier this year, a company Jensen is involved in was caught up in another review.
Jensen and her partner Jason Ake are directors of Native Voice.
In April, Native Voice along with global communications agency VMLY&R and Auckland-based marketing agency Bright Sunday were awarded a $4.8m Ministry of Health contract to run a quit smoking campaign.
Jensen had worked with VMLY&R in her role with Te Hiringa Hauora.
Last month, the Ministry of Health commissioned Audit NZ to carry out an investigation on the procurement process for the quit smoking campaign.
"The investigation found that nothing had come to their attention to indicate the process was fundamentally flawed," a Ministry spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Cassidy's role has been disestablished and he finishes with Te Hiringa Hauora on 1 July.
