Dame Susan Devoy steps down from HRC

Friday, 25 May 2018

Dame Susan Devoy will not seek to be reappointed as Race Relations Commissioner.

Race relations commissioner Dame Susan Devoy will be leaving the Human Rights Commission amid a staff shake-up.

Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero becomes the acting head of the Human Rights Commission from Friday, replacing David Rutherford who leaves after a damning report into the organisation.

Tesoriero has agreed to take on the leadership role short term.

Last week, a review by retired Judge Coral Shaw found the Human Rights Commission was unable to provide proper care and support for a sexual harassment victim on its staff.

Judge Shaw's review was launched by Justice Minister Andrew Little after Stuff revealed a groping scandal at the commission early in 2018.

Rutherford's official tenure expired in August 2016 but he continued under statutory rollover provisions.

Justice Minister Andrew Little says the 'dysfunction' could not continue, so it was time to look for some 'new blood'.

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Rutherford, who has been Chief Commissioner since 2011, was criticised for his part in an 'often uncooperative and unprofessional' dynamic between the Human Rights Commissioners.

He had earlier indicated his intention not to seek reappointment and has said he will leave at the end of June.

Also leaving the commission is Dr Jackie Blue who was Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner. Her terms expires in June 2018 and she will not seek reappointment.

Tesoriero takes on the acting role until three new Commissioners, including a new Chief Commissioner, are appointed.

Dame Susan's term expired in March 2018, and she will leave the HRC at the end of June.

Blue's term is due to expire in June 2018. However, ongoing national and international commitments means she will continue in her role until new Commissioners are appointed.

On Friday, Little said the report was 'pretty clear there's a level of dysfunction at the commissioner level - that could not continue'.

'Three of the warrants have either expired or will expire very shortly. So it's time to look further afield and see if we can get some new blood,' he said.

Little said everybody he spoke to, including the commissioners, accepted the report's findings.

'And the commissioners all accepted it could not continue, and their appointments should not continue, and now we're looking for some new commissioners,' he said.

Meanwhile, Tesoriero said her focus will be on working with Chief Executive Cynthia Brophy to deliver the Commission's work plan.

'We'll also continue implementing the recommendations of retired Judge Coral Shaw's report on the Commission's internal processes and culture.

'Ultimately the new Commissioners will complete the work of implementing the review recommendations identified in retired Judge Shaw's report. In the meantime, everyone at the Commission is committed to begin making the changes so they can be implemented as quickly and smoothly as possible,' Tesoriero said.

Tesoriero praised Rutherford for being a 'strong and active advocate for human rights over a number of years'.

'David's legacy will be that he has made a difference to the lives of many New Zealanders.'

The Public Service Association's national secretary, Erin Polaczuk, said she hoped the new appointment would 'lead to better engagement with employees and promote the mana of the Human Rights Commission'.

'In particular, we aim to work together to implement the recommendations of Judge Coral Shaw's report that relate to employees.

'This has been a difficult time for our members, who care deeply about the work they do. It's important our members feel supported and valued by their employer, and the PSA will work with the Commission to ensure this happens'.