Sir Ian Taylor: Callaghan’s innovation shows good intentions gone wrong | So Good News

OPINION:

We live in a small country where we all know somebody, know somebody, know somebody else.

This was evident after a post I read in the last few days
About Robert Hollis, who I know, Andy Hamilton, who I know, and a company he’s a partner in called Manaaki/WeAreIndigo.

I responded to Robett’s post because he alleged that a due diligence report commissioned by the former CEO of Callaghan Innovation, Vic Crone, who I know, was subsequently covered up by Callaghan Innovation, whose board is run by Pete Hodgson, whom I know. .

Have you started taking pictures?

The world suddenly got smaller because within 24 hours of commenting on Robett’s post, I received a copy of two expert reports in which several witnesses recorded the ways in which they believe Manaki/WeAreIndigo had negatively impacted them.

The evidence denied Callaghan funding to Manaaki/WeAreIndigo for its new founder and startup program.

The reports included the names of other people in the tech sector that I know and respect.

But what stood out to me were the names I didn’t recognize. Names of new founders who don’t have access to decision makers and influencers are part of every business ecosystem we know.

When some of those witnesses reached out to me with their stories, it was clear that there were those among them who feared the consequences of speaking out because of the apparent imbalance of power and resources.

In Māori, Manaki means to cherish, to protect, to care for, and as an industry we need to ensure that the system we put in place lives up to this kaupapa.

From what I’ve read in the comments surrounding Robett’s post, it seems that this concern was not welcomed by manaaki/WeAreIndigo.

But there was a mystery here.

Callaghan Innovation declined to release the reports on legal advice, although they had enough to reject Manaaki/WeAreIndigo’s bid for substantial funding to help young company founders find their way through these difficult times.

What I read was disturbing. It contains the names of witnesses, their statements regarding their relationship with Manaki/WeAreIndigo, and evidence to support these claims.

However, there is no indication in the reports that Manaaki/WeAreIndigo were consulted on the content of the reports before their submissions were rejected.

I have now seen the Manaaki/WeAreIndigo press releases and spoken to two partners.

When I put together everything I know, I believe the only way forward is to conduct a fully independent investigation so that all parties feel safe to give their evidence with the knowledge to protect themselves.

This of course includes Manaaki/WeAreIndigo, who dispute decisions made in due diligence reports.

My fear is that now the politicians are involved, their first reaction will be to find out who published the reports and look for the ulterior motives of those we speak to.

Minister Ayesha Verrall, in her opinion, once told an interviewee that when she was informed of my involvement, I was “not in the government’s good books” and that I was anti-government.

I think it’s because I’m trying to convince them that there is a different way to deal with Covid, to save both lives and livelihoods, and to use smart Kiwi solutions to convey that vision.

I’ve seen and read enough to know that it all started with good intentions on all sides, but it all went wrong and the impact on everyone involved was real.

Now that it has escalated to politicians, the best step they can take is to step aside and conduct an independent investigation.

The survey brief should include not only sorting through all the conflicting information currently circulating in this regard, but also examining the ecosystem in which we operate to ensure that we can build structures that protect our young innovators as they make their way in the world. .

At least one of the founders is now facing thousands of dollars in legal bills. This does not fit the concept of Manaki.

We have to fix that too.