Mid-September is when New Zealand’s Employment Relations Authority is due to hear Samantha Barrass’s bid to overturn her suspension and restore her as FMA chief executive.
Barrass’s lawyer says she considers the suspension unjustified; the board sidelined her after becoming aware of “cultural concerns” at the regulator, and board member Alastair Hercus was installed as interim chief.
Two separate inquiries are now running: the FMA has commissioned an employment investigation led by Paul Wicks KC, while MBIE has ordered a broader workplace conduct and culture review led by Kristy McDonald KC.
January 2027 is when Barrass’s term ends, and she had already said she would not seek reappointment because of family needs in the UK.
May 2026 brought earlier upheaval when chair Craig Stobo resigned after a review found his public commentary fell short of political-neutrality standards, deepening scrutiny of the regulator’s culture and leadership.