The philanthropist and his ambitious $2 million inquiry into child abuse and domestic violence have been embroiled in a number of scandals in recent months, which have thrown into question the viability of the inquiry and his role in it.
But he came out all guns blazing this afternoon as he faced a barrage of questions after he was presented with his knighthood at Government House in Auckland. It was the first time Sir Owen has been available to speak publicly about the allegations.
However, he gave only short answers and would not be drawn on particulars, before declining to speak further on any issues surrounding the inquiry.
He said the abuse inquiry was "where it's supposed to be" and he had "never thought" of resigning his post.
"Other people fabricate things, I've never said I'm abandoning the inquiry," he said.
Sir Owen insisted he was happy with the inquiry, and that it was following the original programme schedule. It is due to present its case to the UN in November.
He revealed he would be adding more of his own money to the inquiry's coffers, but refused to reveal how much.
"When I'm ready I'll tell you how much," he said. "I haven't decided. It [will be discussed] at a board meeting tomorrow."
When pushed further, he snapped: "You want to come? I mean honestly, I'm not going to fabricate things and make them up, there's proper procedure - it has to go before the board."
He said the governance board would discuss "normal stuff"' at tomorrow's meeting.
"We're not marching on Wellington or something. There's anticipation here that we're trying to do something, well, nefarious, obnoxious or what? We're just going ahead with the programme I outlined."
The board is expected to announce two new board members in response to claims the current board is male-dominated, following the resignation of founding chief executive Ruth Herbert in May.
The Glenn inquiry into child abuse and domestic violence has also been hit with a number of financial scandals, including having grants frozen over an apparent dispute with the family trust over charitable donations, and allegations Sir Owen transferred large sums of money from the then Glenn Family Foundation to a bloodstock company and a personal bank account. Those allegations are currently being investigated by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
However, when questioned about the DIA investigation, Sir Owen would only say: "I haven't been approached by anybody except in writing that we have to supply certain information, and we're supplying it."
He did not offer any explanation for the payments.
DIA charities services general manager, Brendon Ward, said the investigation is "ongoing" and there was no further update at present.
The inquiry has been virtually silent publicly since the resignation of Ms Herbert, and has since lost 28 of its original 38 'think-tank' members. Sir Owen has also faced personal questions over an alleged assault in Hawaii in 2002. He denies the allegation and was not convicted of any crime. Sir Owen pleaded no-contest" to an amended assault charge and by April 2004, the charg"e was dismissed.
A frustrated Sir Owen dismissed further questions today saying: "I'm really here to get the award and enjoy my family."
He later added: "I'm not here to answer all those questions."
- By Patrice Dougan of APNZ
