Immigration NZ Staff Caught Sending Inappropriate Messages

So, here we are again, another scandal brewing in the halls of our public service, as reported in the latest immigration news, and this time it’s Immigration New Zealand. Eight staff members, yes, eight, have been sent on leave because apparently, they couldn’t keep their online chats on Microsoft Teams professional. Now, when the head of Immigration NZ, Alison McDonald, starts firing off company-wide emails about “serious and concerning” behaviour, you know it’s not just a case of someone sending a few too many cat memes.

The reality is, this is public service 101—be professional, be objective, and, for heaven’s sake, don’t be a muppet on the company chat. But here we are, eight people on ice, and an investigation underway. McDonald says this sort of behaviour is “completely unacceptable,” and, to be fair, she’s right. If you’re a public servant, the standards are clear, and if you don’t meet them, well, there are consequences. And let’s not forget, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is on the case, so this isn’t going to be swept under the rug.

The Immigration Minister, Erica Stanford, is keeping her distance, calling it an operational matter for MBIE. Fair enough, but it doesn’t exactly scream confidence in the department, does it? Meanwhile, the Public Service Association, the union for public servants, has zipped its lips—no comment. Perhaps they know this one’s a tough sell.

But here’s the kicker—this isn’t the first time public servants have found themselves in hot water for letting their fingers do the talking. Remember the Ministry of Justice debacle? Two staffers thought it was a good idea to call a researcher a “bitch” in an online chat. Brilliant move, that. And now, the public service is once again under the spotlight, for all the wrong reasons.

In the end, it’s not just about what was said on Teams; it’s about the culture within these departments. If people think they can get away with this sort of behaviour, then something is seriously off. And trust me, heads will roll if this keeps up.

So, to those in the public service, here’s a bit of advice—keep it professional, because Big Brother is watching, and your job might just depend on it.