Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
An auditor-general's report into Chatham Islands Council spending has found former chief executive Paul Eagle should not have been in control of a project to upgrade his own accommodation, after costs ballooned by more than $250,000.
It also revealed Eagle edited or created quotes and contracts, and said the former Rongotai MP's handling of documents was misleading and demonstrated exceptionally poor judgement.
The report - tabled in Parliament on Thursday - was instigated following concerns about spending that could be seen to give private benefit to staff.
Eagle took up the position as council chief executive in the Chatham Islands shortly after the retirement of the previous chief executive in August 2023. The job included the use of a home which - ahead of Eagle's appointment - had a $200,000 project approved to address overdue maintenance.
The inquiry found Eagle made multiple additions to the project, including expensive kitchenware and electrical work, that suppliers considered to be excessive.
Photo: Supplied / Jenny Siaosi
It also uncovered an array of deficiencies in council policies relating to procurement, conflicts of interest, staff expenses and fiscal reporting as well as "misalignment" between existing policies and how they were put into practice by Eagle and council staff.
In a letter included in the report findings, Eagle - who resigned last
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