A report released on Thursday has cleared the appointment of a controversial former police superintendent to the Real Estate Agents Authority.
It says Jon Moss's appointment was a commonplace operational matter, with no impropriety.
Jon Moss was hired by the authority after he resigned from the police during a criminal investigation into allegations that he had improperly influenced another officer.
He was cleared, but then investigated over an alleged relationship with an official at an unnamed agency linked to the police.
The Real Estate Agents Authority, meanwhile, asked the Wellington barrister and solicitor John Edwards to investigate Mr Moss's appointment to its staff. That report has exonerated both Mr Moss and the authority.
It found the appointment process was a commonplace operational matter, and all relevant information was disclosed by Mr Moss, including the circumstances surrounding his departure from the police.
It said Mr Moss was the most highly qualified candidate, and there was no impropriety in his appointment nor any unfairness to any other candidates.
'Improvement needed'
The Government says the Real Estate Agents Authority must improve its processes for hiring people.
Associate Minister of Justice Nathan Guy notes there were failures, notably inadequate checking of references.
The Authority has told Mr Guy it is working on the problem.
