Summarised by Centrist
The Auditor General has criticised the government for bypassing proper procurement rules to give $24m to Mike King’s Gumboot Fridays charity.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey pushed the Ministry of Health to approve the funding without an open or competitive process, favouring the charity due to political ties.
Auditor General John Ryan listed serious issues with how the money was allocated, saying it lacked transparency, accountability, and fairness. Health officials found a legal loophole to avoid standard procedures, but Ryan insists there was no clear justification for using it.
Critics point out the close connections between Gumboot Fridays and the National Party, raising concerns about political favouritism. While other charities, like David Letele’s South Auckland foodbank, struggle for funding, King’s charity benefited massively from its political links.
