Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, has today released the findings of the Commission’s investigation into the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s conflict of interest and procurement practices.
The investigation was initiated after Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, received an anonymous complaint raising serious concerns about procurement, conflict of interest management, and wider organisational practices involving the Chief Executive and other senior leaders in June last year.
It examined the Teaching Council’s procurement practices and related conflict of interest management for engagements involving: the advertising firm Clemenger UnLtd, digital engagement services, and te reo Māori instruction, translation, and Māori cultural advice.
It found serious and repeated failures in the Teaching Council’s procurement and conflict of interest processes between late 2018 and early 2025.
These failures were not matters of minor or technical non‑compliance – they reflected poor oversight and immature organisational controls, particularly in relation to conflict management, the Commission said in a statement.
Key findings include:
- Procurement activity did not comply with the Council’s own policies and fell short of system expectations.
- A significant conflict of interest involving the Chief Executive was not properly identified, documented or managed.
- Key steps did not occur, including competitive procurement where required and appropriate approval of exemptions.
- The Teaching Council’s approach fell short, and in some areas well short, of the standards expected of public sector agencies.
- A pattern of low‑maturity conflict management, incomplete conflict identification, insufficient oversight, and poor tone from the top.
Sir Brian said the findings paint a concerning picture.
“The Council is responsible for upholding high professional standards for teachers,” he said.
“It must also meet the highest standards itself. In this case, basic public sector expectations were not met, and in some areas the Council fell well short.
“These shortcomings created avoidable organisational and reputational risks and have the potential to undermine trust in the Teaching Council.”
Education Minister, Erica Stanford said the findings were some of the most serious that she had seen.
“The reports make it abundantly clear that there are various, highly concerning failures and problems that need to be addressed,” she said.
“The issues identified are not just minor or technical in nature that require slight adjustments. We have recently seen significant revelations that highlight key issues which should not be understated.
“While the reports identified numerous shortcomings, they identified above all that there has been an inadequate focus on ensuring child protection, a paramount function of the Council that should be their top priority.
“The organisation has not appeared to see themselves as a regulator, and ultimately have not been supporting teachers sufficiently,” said the Minister.
The investigation report has been referred to the Chair of the Governing Council for the Teaching Council to determine what action to take.
The investigation report and further information is available on the Commission’s website.
Read the 30-page Report: Investigation into the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
