Leadership Crisis at Creative NZ: Lessons from a Stormy Night

Leadership Crisis at Creative NZ: Lessons from a Stormy Night

Stormy Night, Stranded Staff

An unexpected storm and the subsequent flight cancellations at Auckland Airport were the setting of a leadership crisis that has led to the censure of Stephen Wainwright, CEO of Creative NZ (CNZ), and other senior managers. Around 30 staff members were left stranded at the airport while Wainwright and his team found shelter in airport lounges, leaving their colleagues to fend for themselves. The incident has shaken the trust in the senior leadership within the organization, leading to an independent investigation.

Independent Investigation Unveils Failings

The incident led to an independent investigation conducted by lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk. Her report highlighted a significant failure on the part of CNZ’s senior leaders to uphold the organization’s core values and meet their health and safety obligations. Staff members expressed feeling abandoned and betrayed, with many losing trust in the senior leadership team. The report also identified gaps in CNZ’s health and safety and well-being policies.

A Formal Censure

Wainwright and the other senior leaders have accepted the findings of the report and have apologized to the staff. They were issued with a formal written censure by Creative New Zealand’s governing board over the lack of leadership displayed during the crisis. This marks the disappointment of the council at the handling of the situation and outlines the expectation of improved management in the future.

Rebuilding Trust and Updating Policies

In response to the crisis and the report’s findings, work is now underway to rebuild trust within the organization and update CNZ’s health and safety policies. The senior leadership team is putting in considerable effort to regain the trust and confidence of the staff and ensure that the organization’s values are consistently upheld going forward. An updated crisis/emergency plan is also being developed to better handle such situations in the future.

Learning from the Crisis

The incident at Auckland Airport serves as a sobering reminder of the essential role of leadership in crisis situations. Leaders are expected to prioritize the welfare of their teams, especially in challenging circumstances. The crisis at CNZ underscores the importance of having robust health and safety policies in place and the need for leaders to act in accordance with the organization’s core values at all times.