Brian Roche signals ‘not too distant’ decision on Andrew Coster as pressure mounts
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
A decision on Social Investment Agency boss Andrew Coster’s future is coming “in the not too distant future”, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says, as Coster clocks up three weeks off work since a damning police conduct report.
Social Investment Agency chief executive and former Police Commissioner Coster has been on leave following the November 11 release of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report into allegations made against former deputy commissioner, Jevon McSkimming.
On Tuesday at Parliament, Roche said “really good progress” had been made when asked what was happening with Coster.
Considerable pressure has been on Roche since a number of ministers have refused to express confidence in the former police commissioner.
Read more:
Coster on leave after IPCA report into handling of McSkimming complaint
Watchdog slams police handling of complaints about former top cop
Following the release of the IPCA report, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis described its findings as very serious and conveyed her concerns to Roche.
Regarding Coster, Willis said the commissioner was Coster’s employer “and all us of want to proceed in a manner that reduces any risk to the taxpayer”.
Asked what view she had conveyed, Willis said, “I was shocked and appalled by the findings of the report, which I made plain … I made my views on that very clear to the Public Service Commissioner, and I am sure he will take them into account.”
During the initial press conference regarding the ICPA report, Public Service Minister Judith Collins said the situation with Coster was an employment matter with the PSC.
“… I must be very careful what I say, but I think you can read the report. It's pretty, pretty obvious, a massive failure of leadership.”
Roche said that the commission was working to resolve the situation.
“I'm confident that we'll be able to have a decision in the not too distant future. I don't have an exact date, but I'm really confident that we're going to get there and remove the uncertainty that everyone has.
“I recognise this has got a high level of public interest. We have had to do it properly, according to the law, and I'm confident we’ve done that.”
He would not comment on whether Coster would remain in his role as chief executive.
“I'm in the middle of a process. As I said, we've made good progress. We'll get to the end, when we get to the end, I want it done as soon as soon I possibly can.
“I feel like I'm an echo chamber here, unfortunately, I can't go beyond that, and I'm not prepared to go beyond that.”
The IPCA found police failed to properly investigate sexual assault allegations against McSkimming, with the report describing systemic failures, and current police boss Richard Chambers labelling it a “cover up”. Coster has declined to comment while an employment investigation is under way.
Coster was appointed for a term of five years at Social Investment Agency. Information on his salary on the Public Service Commission between November 11, 2024 and December 31, 2024 showed he earned $78,000. Pro-rated over 12 months it is about $557,000.