Weathertight Homes Resolution Service - Media Release 26 Jun 2005

Following on from a number of inquiries regarding functions held by the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) prior to its transition to the Department of Building and Housing on 1 July 2005, the Acting National Manager Weathertight Homes Resolution Service, Nigel Bickle has advised that three staff functions were held between June 2004 and June 2005.

The cost of functions ranged from $632 to $2,563. The events were a mixture of recognising and acknowledging organisational changes and the work of staff.

The three functions were:

13 April 2004 - Move to new Wellington Office premises/farewell team member. Held at the Wellington Office, themed 'Airplane', cost $632 (food and beverages), 26 staff attended and hired their own costumes.

16 December 2004 - Christmas function. Held at the Ponderosa Bar in Wellington (no venue hire), themed 'Wild West', cost $1,200 ($25 per head for food as per Department of Internal Affairs policy for Christmas functions), attended by 48 staff and staff hired their own costumes. Seven Auckland staff (already in Wellington for an induction programme or attending a Building Health and Safety Management Meeting and a Case Management Team meeting) attended.

30 June 2005 - WHRS staff function for the departure of WHRS from Department of Internal Affairs to the Department of Building and Housing. Organised by WHRS staff, venue Connelly Hall Wellington (hire costs of $438), theme 'Sound of Music', cost $2,563 (hire costs, food and beverage), attended by 43 staff. Staff hired their own costumes. Seven Auckland staff (in Wellington for a case management team meeting and Department of Internal Affairs farewell morning tea) attended. Three stayed over to work in Wellington the following day.

In addition, WHRS staff attended two Pacific Island Awareness Days. One in Wellington, 29 April 2005, venue Connelly Hall, 30 staff attended, cost $1,052 and one in Auckland, 17 June, venue Crown Plaza, 17 staff attended, cost $6679 (includes airfares and accommodation for 9 staff from Wellington). It is understood that the purpose of the Pacific Awareness days was to raise staff knowledge and awareness of Pacific culture and provide an opportunity for Pacific staff to share experiences with their colleagues. The day included a formal Kava ceremony and local cultural group participation.

For further information please contact:

Nigel Bickle
Acting National Manager Weathertight Homes Resolution Service
04 2368 063 from 10:30pm 26 July; from 7am 27 July on 0274 364795