Minister wrote to Psychotherapists Board about whistleblower concerns ahead of mass resignation

The mass resignation of the Psychotherapists Board came days after a letter from the associate health minister expressing concern over accusations from a whistleblower, and considering removing them on the grounds of neglect of duty.

But the board members say no formal investigation ever took place, and they resigned after a breakdown in trust and confidence between themselves and the ministry.

In letters dated 18 May, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey wrote to each member of the board saying he had received advice from Ministry of Health officials detailing concerns about the board collectively, and certain members individually.

He said he also had concerns about the way the board responded when the ministry tried to investigate.

The details of the whistleblower's exact accusations have been redacted from the letter, but in it, Doocey noted the board had denied what they referred to as "malicious" allegations.

He wrote that in his view, the board was aware of the harm being caused, "yet - with only minor exceptions - no board members took action to challenge any of these issues" - and at times it meant the board was unable to carry out some its statutory functions.

Previous news reports had linked the resignations to a government policy change, which some in the industry feared would give the government a new level of control over the board's decisions.

But the ministry said the resignations were unconnected to the new bill, and a spokesperson told RNZ the ministry had been looking into governance concerns since last year.

They were not party to any confidentiality agreements with the board or its members, and there was no ongoing investigation following the resignations.

Doocey told RNZ he felt the concerns the ministry had advised him of were "credible", and his letter to the six members had made it clear he was considering removing them on the grounds of neglect of duty.

"I provided board members with an opportunity to respond to the concerns," he said.

"Instead, all members of the board chose to resign."

He said at the end of the day, the core role of the board was to protect the public by ensuring psychotherapists were competent and fit to practise - "not being distracted by their own governance issues".

But the board members have denied a formal investigation ever took place.

In a statement signed by all six members - Brenda Levien, Cinnamon Boreham, Juanita Hudson, Lucie Zwimpfer, Michelle Amopiu and Rachel Kent - they told RNZ there were no terms of reference provided for any formal investigation, and none of the board members were interviewed by ministry officials before receiving the minister's letter.

"The results of the May 2026 independent performance review commissioned by the ministry regarding the governance function of the board was exemplary," they said.

Michelle Amopiu, former board chair, said she still felt in the dark about the exact nature of the allegations, and who exactly had made them. She provided RNZ with a copy of the letter she wrote in response to the minister.

"I formally reject the grounds for this proposal and the allegations on which it relies," it says.

The board "consistently sought to foster an open, supportive, and relational culture", she said, and at the time of writing, the ministry had not provided any specific examples or evidence to support claims of misconduct.

"I do not accept the assertion that the board knowingly caused harm to staff."