Minister of Transport Phil Twyford has directed the Ministry of Transport to undertake a review of the organisational culture of the Civil Aviation Authority and Aviation Security Service under section 132 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

The review of CAA organisational culture will focus on three areas; reviewing reports of bullying and harassment to understand how they were addressed, conducting a workplace culture assessment, and ensuring policies, procedures and prevention controls for managing bullying and harassment.

The Ministry has commissioned consulting firm RDC Group to provide external specialist support. The RDC team will be led by Doug Craig.  In addition, Barrister Rachael Schmidt-McCleave will provide additional expertise to the review team.

The Ministry's report, its findings and recommendations are intended to be released by the Minister in due course following the completion of the review.

The review methodology will involve interviews with current and ex-staff members, leaders, Board members and stakeholders, together with an assessment of organisational resources and strategy. We will seek to identify any concerns regarding workplace culture and where relevant, propose changes for handling complaints and improving organisational culture.

The review will not reopen past complaints of alleged or upheld bullying and harassment, or investigate new reports of incidents or complaints against specific individuals.  Any new complainants will be advised of the pathways for the resolution of complaints.

The CAA has commissioned a separate investigation to assess specific allegations of inappropriate behaviour and conduct within Aviation Security Service. This investigation is running concurrently to the Ministry led review of CAA organisational culture.