 The Secretary of Māori Affairs, Tamati Reedy, was negotiating as Māori Trustee, but had been counselled against the proposed loan by Graham Scott of Treasury in November.Senior departmental officials had attended a series of meetings in Hawaii, and been introduced to the participants by Rocky Cribb, a businessman from Rotorua.Roderick Deane the Chairman of the State Services Commission was asked to investigate, and when he uncovered evidence of departmental incompetence produced a fuller report on Christmas eve.