8. Digital Services—Appointment Process for Chief Technology OfficerHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of State ServicesDigital Services—Appointment Process for Chief Technology Officer8. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of State Services: Has the process for appointing the Government's Chief Technology Officer been consistent with the commitment to be the most open most transparent Government that New Zealand has ever had"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of State Services): No.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Was Derek Handley offered the appointment?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I don't believe it's in the interests of natural justice or the public interest to comment on the process while it is still a live process.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Was the successful candidate for the Government's chief technical officer advised at or around 14 August in light of his answer to written question No. 17144 that unsuccessful candidates were advised on that date?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I indicated in my previous supplementary answer while it is a live process I don't believe it is in the interests of natural justice or the public interest to comment further.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Are there further undisclosed emails through former Minister Clare Curran's private Gmail account in respect of the appointment of the Government's Chief Technology Officer? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: My understanding is that all of Clare Curran's Gmails that relate to this issue are being archived—handed over for archiving—so they are part of the public record. Therefore they are subject to the Official Information Act and therefore they will be fully captured and disclosed if required under the relevant processes. Hon Dr Nick Smith: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was a very direct one: are there further emails that were not disclosed of by Clare Curran in respect of the appointment of the Government's chief technical officer? The Minister did not address that. Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm happy to address it—SPEAKER: Speaking to the point of order—Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm happy to address it further Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: Well the member can. Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think it was inherent in my answer that in the archiving process of course any further emails to those already disclosed will be identified. Hon Dr Nick Smith: Has the Minister directly asked former Minister Clare Curran whether there are further undisclosed emails through her private Gmail account in regard to the appointment of the Government's Chief Technology Officer? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I've not personally had that conversation but I do understand that conversation has been held within the Government. Hon Dr Nick Smith: Who has specifically had the discussion with former Minister Clare Curran on what private emails exist in respect of the appointment of the Government's Chief Technology Officer? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think it's been held relatively publicly but I also understand that the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister's office have had conversations along those lines with Clare Curran. Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does the Minister accept that the process of appointment has been so tainted by the secret emails and meetings by the former Minister and with the comments from the industry that the appointment is now so tainted that it cannot have credibility and that the Government needs to start the appointment process all over again and try to get it right third time round? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Consistent with my earlier supplementary question answers I don't believe it's in the public interest to comment on that matter while there is a live process."