CAA spent $1.1m on external lawyers amid 68 workplace complaints

Senior investigative reporter·NZ Herald·16 Sep, 2026 11:00 PM5 mins to read‌The CAA rejects claims its spending on external lawyers is excessive. Kane Patena (left) is the regulator's director and Mark Darrow (right) is the CAA board chairman.The Civil Aviation Authority paid more than $1.1 million to external lawyers to deal with employment issues over the past two years – spending the Public Service Association believes is “excessive”, while insiders say it’s “extraordinary”. The CAA has rejected the assertion the spending was