The Government is refusing to be drawn into discussion about the sacking of scientist Jim Salinger from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
Dr Salinger says he was told he lost his job because he had provided help to the media without being given authority to do so.
In Parliament on Tuesday, Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp was asked if he would seek an assurance that the sacking was justified.
Dr Mapp says the institute's chief executive and board chair came to see him to advise him of the matter in line with the "no surprises" policy for the public sector.
He says he told them it was an employment matter for the chief executive and the board, and was not a matter for a minister.
