The communication between Clare Curran and Derek Handley has been released, as well as WhatsApp messages between the Prime Minister and Ms Curran over the chief technology officer position.
Click here for the correspondence.
WhatsApp messages between Jacinda Ardern and Ms Curran over the CTO role process see the pair discussing the interview process and potential candidates.
Messages and emails between Ms Curran and Mr Handley from March 10 to August 21 were also released.
In one message from August, Mr Handley refers to the CTO role as an "immense privilege", to which Ms Curran replies:
"This is such new territory for NZ. It feels a bit Star Trek."
The new Digital Services Minister today fronted media after the mass release.
Mr Handley also expresses his concern on the announcement of the position, before "conflicts and contract etc" were completed.
"One key reflection is that it's not done until it's done and we should get all our ducks in a row, nail all the conflicts, clean it all up and then announce. My gut is telling me it risks being rushed and not fully thought out," Mr Handley wrote on August 16.
Ms Curran replied: "We will not put you in that position. I realise you have questions but we are working quickly through the issues."
Communication between the Prime Minister and Mr Handley
Mr Handley wrote on April 23:
"PM. Nice work on the Europe trip, you were the star no doubt, Jacinda. So. After almost 15 years straddling the world and NZ, the time is right for us to truly come home. A big draw card is to help and support you in any way possible. Your fresh leadership is a reason enough. How do we figure out how I can best serve you and New Zealand? I have a lot of ideas and I think I can be very useful. How do we get together to explore what’s possible? Derek."
Ms Ardern replied on April 24:
"Hey Derek! Great to hear you're coming home! When will you be back?"
Mr Handley told the Prime Minister he was selling his home in New York and would be back in New Zealand by August or September.
"This really is great news. Let's catch up when you're back for good perhaps? In the meantime I'll talk to the team about how we can make use of you and your kind offer. Have you had some thoughts on this already?" Ms Ardern wrote.
Mr Handley replied with three messages asking for her email, and one which read:
"A number of people have urged me to seriously consider this CTO thing - esp after first round didn’t move ahead. I think that role is more about society than technology so I’m not sure the average CIO or CTO is the answer."
Ms Ardern replied with her email address.
Current Digital Services Minister Megan Woods said today the release "underscores" that the Prime Minister was not actively involved in the CTO position.
The correspondence showed Mr Handley offered to “help and support a senior Labour party official”, with the offer passed on to the Prime Minister’s Acting Chief of Staff, who called Mr Handley on December 22.
“The call was introductory and covered Mr Handley’s offer in broad terms," Ms Woods said. "It did not include discussions or reference the CTO or action any other role.”
Earlier:
Mr Handley provided copies of text messages to and from himself and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday.
He said there has been continued questioning and speculation over what role the correspondence may have played in the CTO appointment process.
Political Editor Jessica Mutch McKay has the latest on the chief technology officer saga.
It comes after Ms Curran was stripped of her role as Digital Services Minister after failing to disclose a meeting with Mr Handley.
Ms Curran had also failed to disclose a meeting with then-RNZ head of news Carol Hirschfeld. Ms Curran resigned citing intolerable pressure, after questioning in Parliament about her using her personal Gmail account to email Mr Handley.
The Government then dissolved the CTO position. However Mr Handley had already been offered the role, and received a $100,000 pay out.
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