Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
The Chair of the Volunteer Firefighters' Association, the UFBA, and its Chief Executive are the sole directors of a limited liability company registered two weeks before the chair commissioned an inquiry into the CEO. UFBA chairman Richie Smith and Chief Executive Bill Butzbach, jointly registered Tangata Matatau Limited with the company's office on August 3 last year.
Just over two weeks later, Mr Smith commissioned a QC to conduct an inquiry into Mr Butzbach relating to claims of bullying and harassment. The inquiry was later abandoned and Mr Butzbach reinstated. Now the union representing professional firefighters is questioning whether the $4 million the UFBA receives every year is being well spent. Kathryn speaks with Wattie Watson, the National Secretary of the Professional Firefighters Union, and the first woman board member of the UFBA, Judith Stanley, who is calling for a Ministerial inquiry.
