Stats NZ chief to leave after Manurewa Marae data inquiry

Tuesday 18 February 2025 · 5 outlets · 8 reports · updated Wed 19 Feb 2025, 5:27am

In this story Labour Party, Te Pāti Māori, Stats NZ, Peeni Henare, Public Service Commission, Takutai Tarsh Kemp

Stats NZ chief executive Mark Sowden will not seek reappointment following an inquiry into the misuse of Census and Covid vaccination data. The investigation found government agencies failed to protect personal information collected at Manurewa Marae. Three service providers have been temporarily suspended from new government contracts as a result.

How they headlined it

10h

Tue 2pm3:35pm5:05pm6:42pmWed 5:27am

1. NZ HeraldTue 18 Feb 2025, 2:00pm

   Manurewa Marae: Stats head won’t seek reappointment as inquiry finds failures in agencies safeguarding data (opens in new tab)

   • Manurewa Marae inquiry findings: Christopher Luxon ‘shocked’, Chris Hipkins says ‘alarm bell’ for NZ reputation (opens in new tab) Tue 18 Feb 2025, 5:56pm
2. 1NewsTue 18 Feb 2025, 2:45pm

   Manurewa Marae inquiry: Stats NZ boss to leave (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesTue 18 Feb 2025, 3:35pm

   Stats NZ boss quits after Manurewa Marae election inquiry (opens in new tab)

4. RNZTue 18 Feb 2025, 5:05pm

   Stats NZ boss to step down after Manurewa Marae election inquiry (opens in new tab)

   • Manurewa Marae election inquiry 'served as a wake-up call' (opens in new tab) Wed 19 Feb 2025, 5:27am
5. The Press via The PostTue 18 Feb 2025, 6:42pm

   Marae whistleblowers backed by damning data breach inquiry (opens in new tab)

   • Manurewa Marae inquiry: Whistleblowers vindicated (opens in new tab) Wed 19 Feb 2025, 5:00am