The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act response that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has lost or had stolen 280 taxpayer-funded iPhones and iPads over the last three financial years.

With 258 missing iPhones and 22 iPads, that is almost two devices going missing every single week. Based on MBIE’s estimates, the average replacement cost per device is $490, putting the bill at $137,200.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley said:

“You’d think the Ministry in charge of economic development might have a handle on keeping track of its own gear. Two lost iPhones a week is either shockingly poor management or a sign of a department that simply doesn’t care that taxpayers are footing the bill.”

“Worse still, these figures dont include lost laptops. They are the most expensive devices, so this $137,000 is just the tip of the growing iceberg.”

“These government agencies need stricter internal accountability for missing equipment, full transparency on the real cost of lost laptops, and clearer consequences for departments that treat public property like it's disposable.”

“While households across the country are cutting back, MBIE is running a revolving door for lost iPhones. Taxpayers deserve better.”

Porky, the Taxpayers’ Union government waste mascot, this morning visited the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to award a Government Waste Certificate of Achievement to David Smol, the Ministry's Chief Executive, for the Ministry’s extraordinary lavish office fit out.

After some waiting, Mr Smol failed to front, but an MBIE official accepted the award on his behalf (high quality versions of the images below video of the award ceremony are available on request).

This spending is an absolute disgrace and not the first time MBIE has given the middle finger to taxpayers. First there was the $67,339 sign, now the $140,474 television, but they also spent $5,480 on a consultant just to advise what art was best for the office.

This is a Government department behaving like a Madison Avenue advertising agency. The award is to recognise the achievement of wasting so much of other people's money.

Why is there no accountability for these repeated mistakes? Who below the Chief Executive could possibly have authority to sign off on a $140,000 TV screen?

The decision maker should be sacked, or Mr Smol should do the honourable thing and fall on his own sword.