Lighthouse ‘scandal’

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 5

Lighthouse ‘scandal’

PA Nelson Destaffing Stephens Island lighthouse was a national scandal, the Public Service Association said yesterday. The South Island regional secretary, Mr John McKenzie, said in Nelson that thousands of dollars of public money had been squandered and the island’s tuatara population endangered in the destaffing “debacle.” “The Ministry of Transport declared the lighthouse keeper redundant, paid a considerable sum for severance, then stripped the lighthouse and properties of all its fittings and furniture,” he said. "Now a temporary employee has been put out

there and they’ve had to refit the place again. The Department of Conservation is going to put someone there', but only on a 12-month contract. “The cost involved is horrendous. No wonder this country is on the verge of bankruptcy. I’m amazed that New Zealanders aren’t up in arms about it. It’s a national scandal.” Mr McKenzie said squandering public funds at Stephens Island should be examined by the Audi-tor-General, Mr Brian Tyler. The Conservation Departments decision to employ a Stephens Island supervisor on a 12-month contract was also condemned by Mr McKenzie.

No commitment had been made beyond that period, he said.

“They are giving warning to poachers not to come to Stephens Island for 12 months, but what’s going to happen after that?” he asked.

The P.S.A. was opposed to the contract worker system but its main concern at Stephens Island was the preservation of the tuatara colony, Mr McKenzie said. Conservation staff in Nelson were concerned about the tuatara colony but were prevented from speaking publicly because of an edict. by the Director-General forbidding statements to the media “under pain of dismissal.”