The Public Service Commission has released the findings of its investigation into the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, after a report was made about the Council’s conflict of interest and procurement policies.
Since the release of the report, multiple media outlets have reported that chief executive Lesley Hoskin has resigned from her post.
The investigation looked into “serious concerns” involving procurement practices and conflict of interest management around engagements involving an advertising firm, Clemenger UnLtd, as well as digital engagement services, te reo Māori instruction, translation and Māori cultural advice.
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The commission found that, on multiple occasions between June 2018 and early 2025, procurement activities were conducted by the Teaching Council that did not comply with its own policies and “fell short of relevant system guidance”, including a conflict of interest which the commission said “was not an issue of technical non-compliance”.
“Key steps in the requisite processes did not occur, creating significant organisational and reputational risks.”
The Public Service Commission’s report outlines the conflict of interest stemming from the Teaching Council chief executive’s relation to Clemenger UnLtd’s managing director, who is her husband.
The Teaching Council engaged Clemenger UnLtd on three separate initiatives between 2018 and 2025, including for its communications strategy and Unteach Racism campaign.
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The commission said the conflict of interest was not appropriately managed.
“For these engagements with Clemenger, the Chief Executive consistently declared the conflict arising from her husband’s role, was not involved in awarding the contracts, and did not direct any person to award the contracts to Clemenger.
“We did not, however, see evidence that the Chief Executive’s husband’s shareholding was appropriately declared.”
The investigation also noted that two contractors were engaged to provide digital engagement services for the Teaching Council at a contract value that required a competitive procurement process or an approved exemption request. On such request was documented, but no competitive process was launched for the contracts, meaning one contract did not meet policy requirements.
In the procurement of te reo Māori instruction, translation and cultural advice, there were no identified, relevant conflicts of interest, but “the Teaching Council’s approach to these contracts did not comply with its internal procurement policy. These factors created a lack of transparency, and resulting perception risks for the Teaching Council.”
The investigation was launched after an anonymous complaint was made in June 2025 which raised concerns about organisational practices involving the chief executive and other senior leaders.
The Public Service Commission assessed the information gathered from reviewed documents and requested information from the Teaching Council, interviewed individuals from the organisation and independent investigators to reach its conclusions.
In an email response to members, the Teaching Council of New Zealand Aotearoa’s governing council chair, David Ferguson, acknowledged the report’s findings.
“As a public sector organisation, this is not good enough.
“We recognise the importance of upholding the trust and confidence of both the public and of teachers. In response to the investigation, we will immediately implement a comprehensive plan to address these findings.”
The governing council’s own report, commissioned in October 2025, found improvements were needed “across multiple areas of the organisation,” he said.
“This will be a period of important and necessary change for the Teaching Council. As an organisation, we now have an opportunity and a responsibility to do better. We’re committed to the change and improvements necessary to ensure our teachers, our leaders, and our centres and schools feel confident and assured about their regulatory body.”
