Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it's "entirely appropriate" that law firm Russell McVeagh has announced an external review after reports of sexual harassment surfaced in the media.
"I've obviously seen the reporting as others have, and think it's entirely appropriate that further investigation is undertaken based on what's been reported," she said.
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"I think every member of the public would have an expectation after seeing some of those stories that those firms undertake their own internal processes to respond to what are some significant allegations," Ms Ardern said.
Attorney General David Parker confirmed Russell McVeagh is on the panel of lawyers that are "from time to time engaged by the Government", and some of its lawyers are currently active in such work.
"The Government procurement rules include appropriate requirements of good conduct, but I'm not aware of the Government procurement agency [MBIE] currently, on the basis of the investigations, trying to strike them off the list of providers," Mr Parker said.
"There's more work that needs to be done by Russell McVeagh."
Russell McVeagh announced last week that an external review will be undertaken in relation to incidents of sexual harassment in the summer of 2015/16, which Newsroom recently made public.
The review will include actions taken in response to the incidents, current practices and policies relating to sexual harassment and the complaints process, and the organisational culture of the firm.
The firm says following the incidents it introduced a zero tolerance policy with regard to sexual harassment.
Newshub.
