Hugh Logan took a pay cut last month, his punishment for the mismanagement of the Environment Ministry, but today the keen tramper made the ultimate sacrifice – he has taken a hike.
3 News understands he went reluctantly - perhaps a sign that he was pushed.
Logan has overseen a number of public blunders and embarrassments.
He sacked public servant Madeliene Setchell after disgraced Minister David Benson-Pope pressured him to do so.
He apologised to whistleblower Erin Leigh for effectively defaming her character - when the Government would not say sorry.
And Ministers have lost confidence in him in recent weeks.
He has gone with 3 years to run on his $330,000-a-year contract.
He will get three months pay of about $80,000.
Yesterday Logan told media he had no intention of resigning - by today it all changed.
In a statement Logan says: "We have had a rough few months. There have been mistakes made in managing employment situations and communications with the Minister. I have been prepared to take responsibility, apologise and put things right."
Logan's resignation came hours before the release of the investigation showing his Ministry followed poor processes in appointing Labour Party activist Clare Curran into the Environment Ministry - after Minister David Parker suggested she get a job.
The National Party has declared that Logan is merely the scapegoat for the issue.
But Logan will not go empty handed.
On top of three months pay, he has been offered research work by the Ministry.
This work will give him another $80,000 per year, meaning that he will be receiving about $160,000 dollars in total to make stepping into the wilderness a bit more comfortable.
source: newshub archive
