Derek Handley NZ Gov CTO terminated, given $100k settlement

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Fred99

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#2095991 25-Sep-2018 09:41

MikeAqua:

Handley has released a bunch of emails. Looks like our PM had her fingers well into this mess as well.

Well it looks like DH contacted the PM several times and didn't receive any reply from her WRT the CTO role.
Unless you've got further information to suggest otherwise, it's a bit of a stretch to suggest that she had her fingers "well into this mess".

It looks more likely that she's distanced herself from it - but even that seems like claiming something from the absence of evidence.

wellygary

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#2096014 25-Sep-2018 10:26

Fred99:

MikeAqua:

Handley has released a bunch of emails. Looks like our PM had her fingers well into this mess as well.

Well it looks like DH contacted the PM several times and didn't receive any reply from her WRT the CTO role.
Unless you've got further information to suggest otherwise, it's a bit of a stretch to suggest that she had her fingers "well into this mess".

It looks more likely that she's distanced herself from it - but even that seems like claiming something from the absence of evidence.

As you say its reasonably clear that the PM didn't directly have any input into this

BUT... she has again been showed to be "economical with the truth"

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180919_20180919_04

"Question No. 3—Prime Minister

Hon Simon Bridges: What did Derek Handley's text message to her say?

Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Mr Speaker, I would have to go from my recollection. [Interruption]

SPEAKER: Order!

Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: But I can off the back—[Interruption]

SPEAKER: Order! Order! The Prime Minister will resume her seat. This is a matter of some seriousness. It's a matter which I've had a number of representations on and I'm told that the House takes it seriously. I want to be able to hear the answer.

Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Mr Speaker, I would have to go from my recollection. But my recollection is that he mentioned that the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role had been mentioned to him. Again, as I said, I did not directly reply to that message, and it was received in April.

Hon Simon Bridges: Did she flat out ignore his text—not even an emoji?

Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Mr Speaker, I did not even send an emoji."

From the things released by Handley today

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12130986

DGH Unlocked iPhone 5s (+1XXXXXXX

Also. A number of people have urged me to seriously consider this CTO thing - esp after first
round didn’t move ahead. I think that role is more about society than technology so I’m not
sure the average CIO or CTO is the answer.

4/25/18 9:33 AM
DGH Unlocked iPhone 5s (+1XXXXXXXX

Pm, What is best email to send you a note w some starter thoughts? D
4/25/18 12:03 PM (Viewed 4/25/18 12:11 PM)

Jacinda Ardern (6XXXXXXXXXX

[some redacted email address]

So in Parliament we have her saying she did not reply "even with an emoji"

but this says she sent him her email address so he could send something else to her -

Now this isn't anything wrong,

But when added to the "I'm not going to sack Clare Curran " statement in an interview, despite Curran having handed in her resignation the following evening,,,

It just shows that the PM is just like every other politician....

Fred99

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#2096034 25-Sep-2018 10:51

wellygary:

It just shows that the PM is just like every other politician....

Wise enough to qualify an answer in parliament about what was probably not thought to be very important at the time - with the comment "I would have to go from my recollection" in order to avoid claims that she'd deliberately misled parliament.

So 5 months later it's disclosed that she sent him an email address.

Womp womp!

(Go back 5 months in your own saved text messages - and knock yourself out)

MikeAqua

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#2096118 25-Sep-2018 12:45

Fred99:

MikeAqua:

Handley has released a bunch of emails. Looks like our PM had her fingers well into this mess as well.

Well it looks like DH contacted the PM several times and didn't receive any reply from her WRT the CTO role.
Unless you've got further information to suggest otherwise, it's a bit of a stretch to suggest that she had her fingers "well into this mess".

It looks more likely that she's distanced herself from it - but even that seems like claiming something from the absence of evidence.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/107343780/pm-says-government-owes-derek-handley-apology-over-chief-technology-officer-saga

Mike

Fred99

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#2096241 25-Sep-2018 16:41

MikeAqua:

Fred99:

MikeAqua:

Handley has released a bunch of emails. Looks like our PM had her fingers well into this mess as well.

Well it looks like DH contacted the PM several times and didn't receive any reply from her WRT the CTO role.
Unless you've got further information to suggest otherwise, it's a bit of a stretch to suggest that she had her fingers "well into this mess".

It looks more likely that she's distanced herself from it - but even that seems like claiming something from the absence of evidence.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/107343780/pm-says-government-owes-derek-handley-apology-over-chief-technology-officer-saga

Yes - sure an apology is needed - that was a shambles.

networkn

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#2097074 26-Sep-2018 20:27

Not to mention it's cost taxpayers $100K.

Fred99

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#2097118 26-Sep-2018 21:20

networkn:

Not to mention it's cost taxpayers $100K.

Well, until/unless the position is filled, it's probably saving us $$$ to the tune of what - maybe $500k PA?

In return, we would have received guidance/advice on what important things?

I suspect we'd be better off not paying for (what will probably be seen in future to be) useless advice over things that we (NZ) have no control.

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

networkn

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#2097120 26-Sep-2018 21:23

I am not arguing for the position or it's benefit. I am saying the Government found 100K of tax payer cash and lit a bonfire with it.

In the grand scheme of things it's not a huge amount of money, but it's still wasted.

MikeB4

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#2097122 26-Sep-2018 21:25

networkn:

Not to mention it's cost taxpayers $100K.

Yeah I felt the $0.02 it hurt

Fred99

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#2097125 26-Sep-2018 21:38

networkn:

I am not arguing for the position or it's benefit. I am saying the Government found 100K of tax payer cash and lit a bonfire with it.

In the grand scheme of things it's not a huge amount of money, but it's still wasted.

IMO compared to the alternative (actually having a "CTO") I think we got off lightly.

Here's the job description:

Planning for future workforce needs and the development of new skills;
Responding to emerging and disruptive technologies; and
Ensuring all our communities are supported to improve their digital access and build equity.

I think they're looking for an economist with Nostradamus' foresight and a social conscience.

Probably another topic - but in my opinion the above is abject BS - symptomatic of a culture where we've got leaders in all sectors who see an impressive "Ted Talk" or are enthralled by the enthusiastic spiel of some highly paid smooth talking consultant, and spend their lives telling others that they too can see the emperor's clothes.

Pick each of the bullet points above, and analyse/think about it. The harder you think about it, the more total and utter BS it seems IMO.

MikeAqua

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#2098253 28-Sep-2018 16:09

Fred99:

IMO compared to the alternative (actually having a "CTO") I think we got off lightly.

Getting off lightly would be govt deciding not to appoint a CTO and therefore not offering Mr Handley the position.

What to govt did is make pigs ear of the whole thing by offering him the position, which he accepted, then dropping him when it got too hot politically, because of CC's deceitful behaviour. Sure it's only $100k, but that shows a lack of caution with govt funds. What would $100k do for a grass roots labour supporter?

At best it's bungling incompetence. At worst there is wilful concealment and dishonesty.

I previously said JA has her fingers deep into this. I have changed my view on this. She is donkey deep and IMO has misled parliament.

She reminds me of Helen Clark's various difficulties with the truth.

Mike

bmt

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#2098879 30-Sep-2018 19:25

Derek Handley blatantly only wanted the job to further his own celebrity. He was totally unsuited for the job and was widely panned by the industry. Would not have worked at all.

Yes a waste of $100k, which is a fraction of a $26m flag referendum..

Fred99

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#2099080 1-Oct-2018 08:56

MikeAqua:

I previously said JA has her fingers deep into this. I have changed my view on this. She is donkey deep and IMO has misled parliament.

Based on what? Text messages received and right-wing opinion pieces in newspapers and blogs?

I trend to think her problem was the naivety of being new, having a zillion "issues" delegated, and trusting that CC would "do the right thing". When apparently not - then extricating the party from the schtuck wasn't ever going to be an easy task.

6FIEND

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#2099168 1-Oct-2018 09:56

bmt:

Yes a waste of $100k, which is a fraction of a $26m flag referendum..

Yes an election pledge that resulted in no real change, which is a fraction of a $1bn free tertiary policy which has so far had about the same outcome.

networkn

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#2099171 1-Oct-2018 10:00

bmt:

Yes a waste of $100k, which is a fraction of a $26m flag referendum..

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