My legal response to the NZ Government, Callaghan, NZTE, MBIE, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Te Puni Kokiri, Ministry for Social Development and Creative NZ.
Let's get SPECIFIC!
Morena,
Last week I was personally targeted with a 3rd OIA government request after speaking out publicly on behalf of several Kiwi Founders against Manaaki & their Directors Andy Hamilton, Pat MacFie and Monty Betham. Here’s a QUICK LINK to bring you up to speed with the $5,423,800 NZD of government funds that Manaaki received in the past 2-3 years.
Since this release I’ve been flooded by messages of support and even more questions from many in actual influence who were keen for more context about how the hell this was let to happen. Well - STUFF IT!!!! Let’s get really specific shall we team? Here ya go……….
Within the last hour I submitted 8 different OIA requests to multiple government organizations regarding Manaaki / We Are Indigo. Below are exact copies of my requests. I HATE reading - but if you really want to see what’s REALLY happening with Manaaki - read carefully. Seriously.
Since it’s clear at this point others won’t do it to actually help these innocent Founders, I just wanted to share with you all EXACTLY what’s happening behind the scenes.
Finally, for any whistleblowers out there who realize EXACTLY what’s about to come down the pipeline after all of this information is finally released, and want to bring justice to all those actually affected, and help stop any of this shocking behaviour in the future in our Startup / SME ecosystem, I suggest reaching out directly to Gary Denvir @ Mediaworks, Maria Slade @ NBR or Duncan Greive @ Spinoff who I know have been following this closely for months.
Several victims have already come forward in regard to their dealings with Manaaki / We Are Indigo who are all being appropriately managed in the confines of the Whistleblowers Act and Privacy Act. If you too are a victim but want to finally stand up - now is the time. We got you fammmmm!
Enjoy the week team.
Robett Hollis
Callaghan Innovation - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena Callaghan,
This OIA request is in regards to the tender process for Startup Founder / Accelerator Programme and service provider Manaaki / We Are Indigo. I request the following information:
1. Can you please provide a list of all people and organisations that have provided Callaghan with any information (including but not limited to phone calls, meetings, emails, papers etc) in determining whether to withhold or release information in regards to multiple media outlet requests for due diligence reports on Manaaki? Who in Callaghan made the final decision to withhold the due diligence reports?
2. Can you please provide any information in regards to any assessment of the due diligence process Callaghan has gone through for this tender? This could include internal reviews, independent external reviews or any other form of review. Please provide all documentation around this including but not limited to objectives of review, reports and briefings to Callaghan Innovation executive and board.
3. Can you please provide a list of all government departments and agencies that Callaghan has provided findings (or an overview) of the due diligence reports on Manaaki and also any assessment of your due diligence process (either internally or by an independent external reviewer). Please provide a list of dates of when this happened along with relevant written documentation and if verbal discussions were held then a written summary of those.
4. Please provide all briefings to the Callaghan executive and also the board on Manaaki, including written documentation and if verbal discussions were had a summary of these verbal discussions. Please provide minutes of board meetings where Manaaki has been discussed. I request this information from 1 January 2022 onwards.
5. Callaghan has stated it has withheld information due to commercial reasons. Can you please explain the exact rationale behind withholding for commercial reasons in regards to Manaaki? And please explain how Callaghan has assessed the findings of the due diligence report (and poor behaviour towards Founders) against protecting the commercial interests of Manaaki as per the OIA Act?
6. What actions has Callaghan taken as a result of what it's found in the due diligence reports? Please outline these actions including any documentation or if verbal discussions were had then a summary of these.
7. According to the following tender (https://www.gets.govt.nz/MBIE/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=24859597), Callaghan was involved in the RBP tender with MBIE. Can you please provide an overview of this tender process, whether Manaaki was considered as a supplier and any assessment data for Manaaki as part of this process? Additionally did Callaghan inform the MBIE team of the outcomes of the Startup Founder tender and if so who in Callaghan did this and please provide documentation (including summary of verbal discussions if they were held)? In regards to any decisions around Manaaki in regards to the RBP network please provide all written communications and if there were verbal discussions please provide a summary of all discussions held.
8. Please provide both Due Diligence Reports including all witness statements and accompanying evidence.
9. Finally what does Callaghan consider its role in the eco-system is in regards to protection of Founders from behaviours including but not limited to bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment and fraud of any kind?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
Creative NZ - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena,
This OIA request is in relation to the following funding you provided - https://creativenz.govt.nz/News-and-blog/2022/07/19/01/01/20/New-collaboration-supports-Pasifika-creative-enterprises-to-lead-their-own-growth.
I have the following questions for you in relation to this funding:
1. Have Creative NZ been aware, or been made aware by any other person or government agency of the concerns raised and shared publicly around Manaaki?
2. What communications have there been between Creative NZ and MBIE and / or Callaghan Innovation around the findings of Callaghan Innovation's due diligence reports on Manaaki? If so please provide written communications or a summary of any verbal communications.
3. What was the process you went through to select Manaaki as the provider outlining key steps and providing any relevant documentation?
4. Did you do any due diligence on Manaaki when selecting them? If so please provide a copy of this due diligence if written or if it was verbal provide a summary of what was discussed in the due diligence.
5. Given the issues raised with Manaaki and in the public arena, what are the assessment criteria and process for the pilot to ensure Creative NZ picks up previously reported issues publicly about Manaaki?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
MBIE Government Procurement - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena MBIE,
This OIA request is in regards to MBIE's Government Procurement team. I have the following requests and it's about Callaghan Innovation's due diligence reports on Manaaki / We are Indigo:
1. Has Callaghan Innovation (any person in this organization) raised to anyone in MBIE either verbally or in written form concerns that arose in regards to any aspect of due diligence carried out on Manaaki / We Are Indigo?
2. In regards to 1 please provide any written communications and a summary of any verbal communications.
3. Has any other organization across government or any team within MBIE raised any issues in regards to concerns with Manaaki / We Are Indigo? If so please provide details of what agencies / departments have raised concerns and when.
3. What action has MBIE taken, if any, to address any concerns raised? Please provide all communications and documents that relate to any follow actions, including summaries of verbal conversations.
4. What are MBIE's processes to alert government organizations to issues with service providers? Please provide an overview of these. And how many organizations has MBIE done this for over the past 12 months?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
MBIE Economic Development - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena MBIE,
I'm writing in regards to issues raised around Manaaki / We Are Indigo (https://www.nbr.co.nz/small-business-adviser-falls-out-with-smes/ and https://www.nbr.co.nz/business/govt-agency-hires-private-investigator-to-look-into-provider/). Under the OIA Act I am raising the following requests for information to be supplied as follows:
1. Can you please provide an overview of how much money MBIE economic development has paid Manaaki / We Are Indigo since 1 January 2020 and a breakdown of what contracts and services were provided for this funding? For each service / contract please provide an overview of the due diligence process followed in regards to Manaaki.
2. Can you please provide a copy of any papers to the Minister of Economic and Regional Development that mention Manaaki / We Are Indigo (since 1 Jan 2020)?
3. In regards to the Digital Boost programme, were MBIE made aware by any party that Manaaki had not paid K&J Growth, including any concerns around this, and if so please provide written communications on this or if discussions were held verbal summaries.
4. What actions did MBIE take to address any issues raised in regards to Manaaki re the Digital Boost programme (such as not paying K&J Growth?). Also did MBIE Economic Development ever raise verbally or in any other form concerns about Manaaki to the Minister of Economic Development?
5. Did MBIE Economic Development consider Manaaki / We Are Indigo for their Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network (https://www.gets.govt.nz/MBIE/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=24859597) tender? If so what services did they consider them for, can you outline the tender process and provide the panel assessment ratings for Manaaki / We Are Indigo?
6. If concerns had been raised earlier in regards to Manaaki (see question 3), how were these factored into a decision on Manaaki as part of the RBP network tender?
7. Did Callaghan Innovation raise any concerns with MBIE as a result of their due diligence into Manaaki? If so please provide all communications and if there were verbal discussions a written summary of these discussions?
8. How did MBIE assess the success of Manaaki's work in the Digital Boost programme? Please provide documentation on this.
9. Are Manaaki in any current live tender process that MBIE Economic Development has underway?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
Ministry Social Development - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena MSD,
This OIA is in regards to MSD working with a provider called Manaaki, which could cover any area of working with them including Digital Doers (https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2102/S00022/manaaki-and-msd-announce-digital-doers-academy.htm).
I have the following request:
1. Can you provide an overview of all funding provided to Manaaki from MSD and a break down by contract / service and how much funding for each?
2. Can you provide an overview for each contract / service, an overview of the tender process and assessment data on Manaaki as a result of that process? And how many other providers were considered alongside Manaaki for each contract / service? Please also provide an overview of due diligence done on Manaaki for each contract or service provided?
3. Are MSD aware of concerns raised about Manaaki and if so please provide any written documentation around this or if there were verbal discussion a summary of these?
4. Has MBIE Government Procurement, MBIE Economic Development or Callaghan Innovation provided any information on Manaaki either in support of using their services or raised issues and concerns in their services provided? If so please provide written documentation and if verbal discussions were held then a summary of these?
5. Has MSD ever acted as a quasi referee for Manaaki in the work they've done for them?
6. How has MSD assessed the work that Manaaki has done and please provide a summary of that assessment informatio?n (written and verbal summaries).
7. Are Manaaki currently in any tender process for MSD work?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
Ministry for Pacific People’s - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena,
My following request relates to an organisation Manaaki and information as follows:
1. Can you please provide an overview of funding provided to Manaaki and a breakdown by contract / service and how much funding provided for each?
2. For each contract / service can you please provide details of the tender process (how many providers were considered), documentation around the tender process and assessment data on Manaaki?
3. As part of any of these contracts was due diligence done on Manaaki and if so what did this entail?
4. How has MPP assessed the performance of Manaaki in this accelerator? Please provide a copy of that assessment?
5. Is MPP aware of any concerns in regards to Manaaki? Either raised via media coverage, MBIE or Callaghan Innovation? If so please outline concerns raised, how and by whom?
6. Is Manaaki currently in any tender process for MPP work?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) - OIA Request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
Morena NZTE,
I am writing in regards to information requests around funding provided to an organisation called Manaaki (also trades as We Are Indigo). The requests are as follows:
1. Can you please provide an overview of how much money NZTE has paid Manaaki / We Are Indigo since 1 January 2020 and a breakdown of what contracts and services were provided for this funding? For each service / contract please provide an overview of the due diligence process followed, and outcomes, in regards to Manaaki.
2. Can you please provide a copy of any papers to the Minister of Economic and Regional Development that mention Manaaki / We Are Indigo (since 1 Jan 2020)?
3. For each contract / service provided by Manaaki can you please provide an overview of assessment panel results on Manaaki including documentation and if verbal a summary of discussions held.
4. Have MBIE Economic Development, MBIE Government Procurement or Callaghan Innovation raised any concerns with MBIE as a result of their due diligence into Manaaki? If so please provide all communications and if there were verbal discussions a written summary of these discussions? What actions have NZTE taken to follow up on any concerns raised?
5. As the current Chair of NZTE is the Deputy Chair of Callaghan Innovation, can you please provide any communications from the NZTE Chair to anyone in NZTE on Manaaki, this includes any written or verbal communications including but not limited to board meetings and specifically any briefings the Chair has provided from discussions at Callaghan Innovation?
6. Can you please provide any papers to the NZTE Board that mention Manaaki and any minutes of those meetings that document discussions had around Manaaki?
8. For any services provided by Manaaki please provide an overview of the criteria to assess the initiative and a copy of this (written communications and if verbal discussions were held then a summary of these).
9. Are Manaaki in any current live tender process that NZTE has underway?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
Te Puni Kokiri - OIA request from Robett Hollis
OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED : Tuesday, October 25th, 2022
I'm writing in regards to an organisation Manaaki that Te Puni Kokiri (TPK) has used for services. My request is as follows:
1. Can you please provide an overview of all funding provided to Manaaki including a breakdown by contract / service and how much funding for each?
2. For each contract / service funded what tender process was followed, how many other providers were considered and what was the panel assessment information on Manaaki? Also what due diligence process was followed in regards to Manaaki and please provide documentation or if verbal conversations then a summary of these?
3. Please provide any papers to the Minister of Maori Development that mention Manaaki.
4. It is my understanding (discussion in the innovation ecosystem mid this year) that concerns had been raised to TPK (verbally or written) in regards to using Manaaki. Can you please confirm whether any concerns had been raised to MSD (internally or externally) in regards to using Manaaki (which could include but is not limited to Callaghan Innovation's due diligence findings on Manaaki) and who these concerns were raised too. If concerns were raised please provide documentation around these (or summaries if verbal discussions) and please provide an overview of what actions were taken and who made the final decision to use Manaaki (whether that be at an organisation level or a Ministerial level).
5. Can you please provide an overview of any current tenders that Manaaki are being considered for?
6. Finally can you provide an overview of how you have assessed the success of Manaaki's work including any written documentation or if discussions were verbal a summary of these?
Chur.
Robett Hollis
Calling all NZ Startups, SME's and Entrepreneurs - On Friday June 2nd we're having a FOUNDERS & FRIENDS Meetup in Auckland CBD for a group of good humans. let;s hannggg. https://bit.ly/FoundersAndFriends