Auditor-general criticises 'unusual' Gumboot Friday procurement process

Auditor-general criticises 'unusual' Gumboot Friday procurement process
Controller and auditor-general John Ryan criticised the procurement process to contract with Gumboot Friday. (Image: Supplied)
Oliver Lewis
The procurement process to fund youth mental health platform Gumboot Friday had unusual attributes that were inconsistent with good practice, the Office of the Auditor-General says.The National-NZ First coalition agreement included a commitment to fund the service, which pays for counselling sessions for young people aged 25 and under. Mike King, a comedian and public speaker who has become a prominent mental health campaigner, is the principal executive of I Am Hope, the registered charity that runs Gumboot Friday.In a pre-Budget announcement...

More Policy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs
Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs

Pharmac's fixed budget discourages use of cost-saving medicines common elsewhere.

Pattrick Smellie 23 Oct 2025
RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks
Opinion

Andy Macdonald: RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks

The end result of the RBNZ’s capital review will be both revealing and fascinating.

Andy Macdonald 21 Oct 2025
Asset recycling: privatisation or better housekeeping
Policy

Asset recycling: privatisation or better housekeeping

On asset recycling, Silvana Schenone cites Marie Kondo rather than Milton Friedman.

Dileepa Fonseka 20 Oct 2025
Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs
Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs

Fee-free open banking and levies may deter banks from innovating with new tech.

Andy Macdonald 17 Oct 2025