What a hero Kylie Scharre is. She is the one who is commissioner material. What was Coster hiding? There should be more than McSkimming heading to jail for this. I am embarrassed as a male that they victimised a young woman from a position of strength. Its time these well connected people were held to account instead of being helped by mates to jump from plum job to plum job on the taxpayer expense.
Here’s hoping their fellow officers do not now ostracise Scharre and Reeves - frequently the outcome for those who choose to do the right thing rather than keep schtum about wrongdoing by their fellows.
At risk of being accused of floating a conspiracy theory (God forbid!):
Reading this makes me wonder what dirt McSkimmings had on Coster that made Coster initially put on outsized blinkers and subsequently decide to dig the hole he found himself deeper and deeper.
Surely it is now wholly untenable for him to retain his new role?
I hardly slept last night after reading the whole of the 135 pages of the report! It just gets murkier the more I turn it over in my mind.
The implications of this corruption... We thought the police had learned their lesson with Louise Nicholas, but this is ten times worse - so many top cops involved in covering for a sexual predator, just because he was one of their own - a top cop!!! What does that say about them?
I think I have finally lost all repect for the NZ Police Force.
Yep, same, lost all respect, I chatted with a mate who is Police, he said - we're all pretty distraught right now, a lot have been shattered by what has come out, a good number are talking of wanting to leave, this was kind of the last straw. ZERO trust in management from the beat officers and my mate who is a SSGT (Senior Sergeant) is not happy, he has seen it deeply affect the morale.
While completely understandable - these are the officers we want! It’s so very tragic.
I’ve had family members in the police too…watched one go from a committed family man and Christian- to an affair of 3 years that destroyed his marriage and was full of lies and deceit. He finally left on stress leave after 20yrs…
I am just utterly blown away by this, we have a debt of gratitude to this young woman that we'll never be able to pay - she NEVER gave up.
"Some of his search terms included references to underage girls, incest, and animals, and words such as “slave”, “abuse”, and “extreme”
I mean WTF - WTAF! and Coster wanted this guy as the Commissioner!
Coster needs to be fired along with all the others that opposed the investigation, this absolutely stinks so bad. I cannot believe what is written here, but the sad case is its all true!
This is not just an isolated incident, this is how the police operate. If a member of the public makes a complaint or accusation to the police they will use threats and intimidation to get that member of the public to withdraw the complaint. Not only in cases where the complaint is about a police officer but any complaint/accusation which they don't want followed up on.
It got worse under Labour's policies to reduce prisoner numbers. They let criminals run amoke and law abiding citizens that got caught up were threatened and intimidated so they would keep quiet.
It's incredible that Ms Z persisted despite everything. New Zealander of the year?
Thankfully a few people in the Police held the line. Very disappointing and concerning that more didn't. Hopefully the spotlight will be the catalyst for a sweeping change in culture.
Coster's approach, attitude and actions defy belief. There seem to be remarkably similar parallels between Coster and the delusional approach, actions and attitude of many main-stream media editors and journalists on certain topics these days. Their turn next?
Well, some in the police have no respect for women, we have seen this time again, Louise Nichols, then Albert Park where front line police stood by and watched a mob attack Posie Parker. Again, no charges laid against these police who were complicit. More alarming is his disgusting sexual desire!! He’s one sick person and Mr Coster and the rest of the top cops that cozied up to each other need to face charges. They harboured a sexual predator and seriously broke their police conduct. When the complainant lays bare her actual story more employment breaches will be exposed.
Must say the thought that comes to mind is that Coster knew exactly about McSkimmings' prurient internet hobbies and interests and was complicit in so far as he knew Mc S could expose their mutual interest. Who knows ...
Firstly...Thank you Ani for shining your warm light on this dark episode. I also wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by many here of the courage and integrity of Nicola Reeve and Kylie Schaare for speaking truth to power.
Secondly, I'm curious to observe Andrew Coster's stated Christian faith, qualifications including a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington, and a background described thus on the 'Our people' tab on the NZ Social Investment Agency website: "Formerly the Commissioner of Police, Andy has considerable frontline experience working in the social sector. Other previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry for Justice." and (Andy is) "Known for his community-centered and modern approach to policing..."
Again, from the NZ Social Investment Agency website:
"The Social Investment Fund (external link) aims to invest in early interventions and support services to enable children, young people, and families to achieve a range of outcomes. It is designed to be a catalyst for change - change in the way we support those who need it, change in the way government works with organisations who provide social services, and ultimately change the life trajectory for children with complex needs."
Well Andrew, your behaviour is not a good fit with the stated aims of the Social Investment Agency.
How is it that not only do New Zealanders apparently deserve:
(1) a Finance Minister without finance qualifications who loves telling stories,
(2) a Health Minister who in a past life was a bank teller (now presiding in a deep pothole over the NZ Health System where spin, subterfuge, attacking unions and doctors and nurses, and controlling the narrative rule over competence and credibility; where failed, stale men with questionable accounting expertise continue to fudge financial and accounting figures, pretending that the previous Labour Government deficit was far larger than it actually was...)...,
(3) a senior figure within Health New Zealand who at least 15 years ago put the kaibosh on NZ getting a digital health record. The business case was made and stacked up, but it was an inconvenience for this man whose business interests somehow prevented New Zealanders from benefitting from a digital health record. And he has the gall to describe himself as having a qualification in digital health leadership!
"Based on what we know so far, McSkimming did succeed in grooming a young woman for his own sexual gain. Yet as victim’s advocates have pointed out, he was also successful in grooming his colleagues over the course of six years of repetition, into loyally accepting his version of the events – which painted him not as a sexual predator, but as the victim of threats and harassment by a (possibly mentally unstable) woman bent on revenge." (Gordon Campbell)
but wait...there's more...
(4) This 'modern approach to policing' (The Social Investment Agency's bigging up of Andrew Coster in his bio on their website) is one way to describe Coster's unusual and unethical behaviour. This may be par for the course under this National-led coalition government's watch. And perhaps par for the course under Christopher Luxon's watch. And further par for the course under Sir Brian Roche's watch as highly-paid Public Service Commissioner who has attempted to insert himself into the wrong side of public service leadership. Perhaps Bill English needs to be parachuted in to take over from Coster? No, on second thoughts, that was never a good idea.
Where is the STEWARDSHIP? Where is there ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR? Where is the TRUSTWORTHINESS? Where is the PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY? Absent. Don't Come Monday. In the song "Pretty Vacant" sung by the Sex Pistols.
Is this the best that NZ can get? Which drawing board will the coalition government go back to? A sick cartoon filled with characters on borrowed time who seem hell-bent on replicating a Trump-style administration onto a country and people who deserve so much better.
P.S. I know that the numbered items in my list are but a very small selection of the many available generated by the coalition government debacle!
Of course, in addition to being Labour's "go-to" lawyer, Linda Clarke is with Denton's (formerly Kensington Swan) that was bought by Dentons which describes itself as "the largest law firm in the world" and whose name is attached to the global strategy for spreading transgenderism worldwide released by the former International Lesbian and Gay Association (IGLA) which now includes straight people who call themselves TQIAA+.
What a hero Kylie Scharre is. She is the one who is commissioner material. What was Coster hiding? There should be more than McSkimming heading to jail for this. I am embarrassed as a male that they victimised a young woman from a position of strength. Its time these well connected people were held to account instead of being helped by mates to jump from plum job to plum job on the taxpayer expense.
And Nicola Reeves. Both these officers deserve recognition for their integrity.
Great piece of investigative journalism, Ani. Thank you.
Here’s hoping their fellow officers do not now ostracise Scharre and Reeves - frequently the outcome for those who choose to do the right thing rather than keep schtum about wrongdoing by their fellows.
Coster's role as head of the Social Investment Agency must now be completely untenable.
At risk of being accused of floating a conspiracy theory (God forbid!):
Reading this makes me wonder what dirt McSkimmings had on Coster that made Coster initially put on outsized blinkers and subsequently decide to dig the hole he found himself deeper and deeper.
Surely it is now wholly untenable for him to retain his new role?
I thought the same
One would think so, but let's not hold our breath! Officer B is still employed there, but most of the other bad eggs have been cleared out.
Me too
I hardly slept last night after reading the whole of the 135 pages of the report! It just gets murkier the more I turn it over in my mind.
The implications of this corruption... We thought the police had learned their lesson with Louise Nicholas, but this is ten times worse - so many top cops involved in covering for a sexual predator, just because he was one of their own - a top cop!!! What does that say about them?
I think I have finally lost all repect for the NZ Police Force.
Yep, same, lost all respect, I chatted with a mate who is Police, he said - we're all pretty distraught right now, a lot have been shattered by what has come out, a good number are talking of wanting to leave, this was kind of the last straw. ZERO trust in management from the beat officers and my mate who is a SSGT (Senior Sergeant) is not happy, he has seen it deeply affect the morale.
While completely understandable - these are the officers we want! It’s so very tragic.
I’ve had family members in the police too…watched one go from a committed family man and Christian- to an affair of 3 years that destroyed his marriage and was full of lies and deceit. He finally left on stress leave after 20yrs…
Faith shattered police is an understatement
What an excellent article. Worthy of being published in the NZHerald, ThePress and Dompost.
I am just utterly blown away by this, we have a debt of gratitude to this young woman that we'll never be able to pay - she NEVER gave up.
"Some of his search terms included references to underage girls, incest, and animals, and words such as “slave”, “abuse”, and “extreme”
I mean WTF - WTAF! and Coster wanted this guy as the Commissioner!
Coster needs to be fired along with all the others that opposed the investigation, this absolutely stinks so bad. I cannot believe what is written here, but the sad case is its all true!
Thanks again Ani - wonderfully written!
Well, the checks and balances did work, although it was a close run thing. Great piece of forensic analysis from Ani O’Brian.
Brilliant unpacking, thanks Ani.
What an extraordinary read.
Thank you so much for all the work that has gone into it thus far, Ani.
On a personal level it's hard to digest he brutal reality of the rot within a system that ostensibly exists to protect us.
On a national level it's dangerous and potentially quite destabilising.
A loss of trust seems to pervade pretty much everything nowadays. It is beyond a quick fix.
Best try not to despair.
This is not just an isolated incident, this is how the police operate. If a member of the public makes a complaint or accusation to the police they will use threats and intimidation to get that member of the public to withdraw the complaint. Not only in cases where the complaint is about a police officer but any complaint/accusation which they don't want followed up on.
I've had similar happen in my family over the last 17 years.
I'm not surprised at all.
Being told you are mad, delusional, a liar, shutdown, beaten and silenced.
It's an old boys club that continues to damage women and children.
Our archaic judiciary is not helping, either.
Some of the Hawkes Bay Police were utterly despicable.
This has been happening for years.
I'm surprised that so many people do not realize this.
A great article by Ani.
It got worse under Labour's policies to reduce prisoner numbers. They let criminals run amoke and law abiding citizens that got caught up were threatened and intimidated so they would keep quiet.
I am impressed. Good read. Thank you.
It's incredible that Ms Z persisted despite everything. New Zealander of the year?
Thankfully a few people in the Police held the line. Very disappointing and concerning that more didn't. Hopefully the spotlight will be the catalyst for a sweeping change in culture.
Coster's approach, attitude and actions defy belief. There seem to be remarkably similar parallels between Coster and the delusional approach, actions and attitude of many main-stream media editors and journalists on certain topics these days. Their turn next?
Indeed!
Well, some in the police have no respect for women, we have seen this time again, Louise Nichols, then Albert Park where front line police stood by and watched a mob attack Posie Parker. Again, no charges laid against these police who were complicit. More alarming is his disgusting sexual desire!! He’s one sick person and Mr Coster and the rest of the top cops that cozied up to each other need to face charges. They harboured a sexual predator and seriously broke their police conduct. When the complainant lays bare her actual story more employment breaches will be exposed.
Must say the thought that comes to mind is that Coster knew exactly about McSkimmings' prurient internet hobbies and interests and was complicit in so far as he knew Mc S could expose their mutual interest. Who knows ...
Firstly...Thank you Ani for shining your warm light on this dark episode. I also wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by many here of the courage and integrity of Nicola Reeve and Kylie Schaare for speaking truth to power.
Secondly, I'm curious to observe Andrew Coster's stated Christian faith, qualifications including a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington, and a background described thus on the 'Our people' tab on the NZ Social Investment Agency website: "Formerly the Commissioner of Police, Andy has considerable frontline experience working in the social sector. Other previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry for Justice." and (Andy is) "Known for his community-centered and modern approach to policing..."
Again, from the NZ Social Investment Agency website:
"The Social Investment Fund (external link) aims to invest in early interventions and support services to enable children, young people, and families to achieve a range of outcomes. It is designed to be a catalyst for change - change in the way we support those who need it, change in the way government works with organisations who provide social services, and ultimately change the life trajectory for children with complex needs."
Well Andrew, your behaviour is not a good fit with the stated aims of the Social Investment Agency.
How is it that not only do New Zealanders apparently deserve:
(1) a Finance Minister without finance qualifications who loves telling stories,
(2) a Health Minister who in a past life was a bank teller (now presiding in a deep pothole over the NZ Health System where spin, subterfuge, attacking unions and doctors and nurses, and controlling the narrative rule over competence and credibility; where failed, stale men with questionable accounting expertise continue to fudge financial and accounting figures, pretending that the previous Labour Government deficit was far larger than it actually was...)...,
(3) a senior figure within Health New Zealand who at least 15 years ago put the kaibosh on NZ getting a digital health record. The business case was made and stacked up, but it was an inconvenience for this man whose business interests somehow prevented New Zealanders from benefitting from a digital health record. And he has the gall to describe himself as having a qualification in digital health leadership!
(3) a former Deputy Commissioner of NZ Police being outed in the following way (as described by Gordon Campbell in his SCOOP article "On The Toxic Police Culture That Enabled Jevon McSkimming") Reference: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2511/S00030/on-the-toxic-police-culture-that-enabled-jevon-mcskimming.htm
"Based on what we know so far, McSkimming did succeed in grooming a young woman for his own sexual gain. Yet as victim’s advocates have pointed out, he was also successful in grooming his colleagues over the course of six years of repetition, into loyally accepting his version of the events – which painted him not as a sexual predator, but as the victim of threats and harassment by a (possibly mentally unstable) woman bent on revenge." (Gordon Campbell)
but wait...there's more...
(4) This 'modern approach to policing' (The Social Investment Agency's bigging up of Andrew Coster in his bio on their website) is one way to describe Coster's unusual and unethical behaviour. This may be par for the course under this National-led coalition government's watch. And perhaps par for the course under Christopher Luxon's watch. And further par for the course under Sir Brian Roche's watch as highly-paid Public Service Commissioner who has attempted to insert himself into the wrong side of public service leadership. Perhaps Bill English needs to be parachuted in to take over from Coster? No, on second thoughts, that was never a good idea.
Where is the STEWARDSHIP? Where is there ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR? Where is the TRUSTWORTHINESS? Where is the PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY? Absent. Don't Come Monday. In the song "Pretty Vacant" sung by the Sex Pistols.
Is this the best that NZ can get? Which drawing board will the coalition government go back to? A sick cartoon filled with characters on borrowed time who seem hell-bent on replicating a Trump-style administration onto a country and people who deserve so much better.
P.S. I know that the numbered items in my list are but a very small selection of the many available generated by the coalition government debacle!
Of course, in addition to being Labour's "go-to" lawyer, Linda Clarke is with Denton's (formerly Kensington Swan) that was bought by Dentons which describes itself as "the largest law firm in the world" and whose name is attached to the global strategy for spreading transgenderism worldwide released by the former International Lesbian and Gay Association (IGLA) which now includes straight people who call themselves TQIAA+.