The Firearms Safety Authority was established following the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
A comprehensive review of Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority has begun following concerns over its workplace culture, including intimate relationships as well as financial practices.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) is also undertaking its own investigation into the concerns raised within the police agency.
The police review comes after RNZ earlier revealed an "internal employment process" was under way at the firearms regulator which was established following the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019.
RNZ was earlier informed about concerns of a "toxic culture" in the unit, with allegations of bullying and concerns about the management of complaints.
An email was recently sent to staff who lodged concerns about the authority, where police said the employment process had concluded, and that due to privacy the outcome could not be disclosed.
Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz
However, the email also said police's chief operating officer Andrea Conlan had commissioned its Assurance Group to conduct a "hygiene and internal controls health check" for the Firearms Safety Authority.
This included the management of spend on consultants/contractors and "other people movements with policy and legislative requirements".
Concerns raised regarding the use of contractors, appointments and "management of intimate relationships" had been shared with the Assurance Group for consideration as part of the "health check".
In a statement to RNZ, police's chief assurance officer Mike Webb confirmed a "health check" was under way.
"It is not the first police group or business unit selected for such a check. These are a common practice in many organisations.
"The health check has a number of focus areas. These include current financial and people management practices; whether disciplines around corporate hygiene and internal controls are widely understood and consistently applied; and any opportunities for improvement."
Terms of reference were jointly signed by the authority's executive director and Conlan, Webb said.
"Both will receive the final health check report, which will be considered by NZ Police's senior leadership team and the independent Assurance and Risk Committee.
"Any recommendations arising from the health check will be considered not only in relation to the authority - consideration will also be given as to whether there are any lessons or insights that may apply to other parts of NZ Police."
Te Tari Pūreke's website states its role as regulator is to "enable fit and proper people to legitimately use firearms in New Zealand and seek to protect the public from the harm that may be caused by the misuse of firearms".
Following RNZ's article in May, the then acting executive director of the Firearms Safety Authority Richard Wilson emailed staff.
"Headlines like this can be distressing for everyone in our organisation, however, as you might expect it is not unusual for staff members from time to time to raise issues where they think the workplace hasn't supported them to the level they expect, or where they may think they have been treated unfairly.
"From my perspective, it is important people feel they can raise these issues, and they should be reassured that the police organisation will take these matters seriously. Police will follow a robust and fair process, and depending on the conclusions, take any action required."
Wilson said as a director, he travelled "a fair bit" around the country to the various offices, and tried to be "visible and available to you".
"The reality I see is an organisation that is working incredibly hard, and that has a really positive work culture.
"But that isn't to say Te Tari Pūreke gets everything right, or that there might not be some issues bubbling away for people that should be addressed."
He said staff should feel confident they can "raise a flag, and ask for matters to be looked at".
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