Irate husband sparked investigation into Antarctica NZ chief executive

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Antarctica NZ boss Peter Beggs' unexpected departure has left many unanswered questions.

An investigation that led to the sacking of Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Peter Beggs started with a complaint from a board member's husband.

Beggs was sacked from his Government agency job late last week over unspecified serious misconduct and lapses in judgement after a six-week investigation.

Although Antarctica New Zealand chairman Sir Brian Roche has declined to provide any further information on the reasons for the sacking, details are starting to emerge as sources close to the parties reveal what happened.

Peter Beggs, former Antarctica New Zealand CEO.

It appears the investigation was sparked by Tenby Powell, the husband of board member and high-flying entrepreneur Sharon Hunter, who approached Roche with concerns about Beggs about two months ago.

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Sharon Hunter founded PC Direct and is married to former Auckland mayoral candidate Tenby Powell.

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Sharon Hunter said she quit the board a few weeks ago for family reasons.

Powell, who is in business with Hunter in an investment and merger firm, met with Roche and messaged another board member.

Roche then consulted with the board and brought in accountancy firm Deloittes to do a forensic analysis of Beggs' spending records and electronic communications.

Antarctica NZ chairman Brian Roche said Peter Beggs was dismssed from his role as chief executive.

The analysis revealed serious misconduct which was put to Beggs for a response. He was unable to come up with answers that satisfied the board and was sacked.

Powell, who was himself a board member of Antarctica New Zealand when it hired Beggs, is understood to have confronted Beggs.

Hunter stepped down from the board in mid–July citing family reasons and when approached by Stuff last week said she was 'not really' aware of the investigation into Beggs.

Powell told Stuff he was also unaware of the investigation or why Beggs had been sacked. The timing of the investigation and his wife stepping down 'seem entirely unrelated', he said.

He did not respond when asked to comment on an outline of his apparent involvement in the saga.

The Deloitte investigation did not touch on another decision by Beggs.

This was to send his executive assistant Kylie Wood to represent Antarctica New Zealand at the UK premiere of a production by Christchurch-born film maker and choreographer Corey Baker.

Baker took part in Antarctica New Zealand's community engagement programme and went to the ice in February with Royal New Zealand ballet dancer Madeleine Graham.

Wood began a new job as People and Project Co-ordinator for Antarctica New Zealand on August 1.

She had no comment when approached on Tuesday.

Roche confirmed Wood had gone to the premiere and he was still waiting for more details.

The agency, which received $20 million in public funding last year, oversees the running of Scott Base in Antarctica and scientific research programmes on the ice.

It is currently preparing a business case for an estimated $150m replacement for the ageing Scott Base.

Beggs, who took up the post in 2014, represented New Zealand on a number of international bodies.

Hunter was appointed to the seven-member board in late 2015 for a three-year term.