Delahunty on Roche

The obsession by some on the left with Susan Devoy’s appointment as Race Relations Commissioner is getting tiresome. They seem to be outraged that the Government has appointed someone who is not a left-wing activist or academic. Well this is what happens when you lose an election – you don’t get to decide who is appointed Race Relations Commissioner.

Now Green MP Catherine Delahunty has even attacked the interview panel, Radio NZ reports:

The Secretary of Defence and head of New Zealand Post were on the panel that interviewed Dame Susan Devoy for the job of Race Relations Commissioner, it has emerged.

They were: New Zealand Post chief executive Brian Roche, Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter and Justice Secretary Andrew Bridgman.

Greens MP Catherine Delahunty said on Wednesday the so-called independent assessment panel did not have the background to do its job.

Ms Delahunty said defence and postal communications have very o hlittle to do with race relations or the commissioner’s job, and there are many others with more direct professional experience who could have been on the panel.

Can I respectfully suggest Ms Delahunty acquaint herself with Mr Roche’s background before she comments on his background.

Over the last 20 years Brian Roche has been appointed by both Labour and National Governments to numerous roles in the areas of education, transport, health and Treaty Settlements. Specifically he has played a significant role in four Treaty settlements:

• Ngai Tahu – 1997 ($170m)
• Port Nicholson Block – 2008 (part of a $45m settlement)
• Ngati Awa – 2003 ($43m)
• Waikato River settlement – 2008 (part of the same $45m settlement package as Port Nicholson)

So dismissing him as just being about postal communications is trite and unworthy. I’d suggest someone who has been involved in four major Treaty settlements knows a hell of a lot about race relations in New Zealand, and is more than suitable to be on an appointment panel for the role.