Immigration officer suspended over ‘inappropriate’ messages

Immigration New Zealand is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
photo: RNZ/Dom Thomas

Immigration New Zealand confirmed eight staff had been stood down in the past few weeks following a “series of team chats that appeared inappropriate and unprofessional”.

Immigration New Zealand director general Alison McDonald confirmed to ABC New Zealand that the minister was informed of the matter on June 5.

“MBIE, part of Immigration New Zealand, is investigating a series of Teams chats involving some of our staff that appear to be inappropriate and unprofessional,” McDonald said.

“These comments appear to breach MBIE’s code of conduct, which sets out our expectations of our staff, including that we be professional and objective in our language, behaviour and interactions.”

She said the allegations were “serious and concerning”.

“Currently, eight people have been placed on furlough in accordance with MBIE’s employment process,” she said.

“Inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour by our staff is completely unacceptable and MBIE will not hesitate to take any appropriate disciplinary action.”

Ms MacDonald said she was disappointed by the action, which she said “goes against all of MBIE’s values ​​and is inconsistent with the standards expected of public servants”.

An MBIE spokesman said the department became aware of the Teams conversation while investigating a complaint unrelated to staff decision-making, but the complaint was not substantiated.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement it was “an operational matter for MBIE”.

“Any allegation of inappropriate behaviour needs to be thoroughly investigated. MBIE has told me they do not tolerate this type of offensive and discriminatory behaviour and I am confident they will address this issue appropriately.”