Ombudsman launches investigation into Auckland stadium report complaints

Thursday, 14 June 2018

An investigation into complaints over Auckland Mayor Phil Goff's handling of a waterfront stadium report has begun.

The Chief Ombudsman has launched an investigation into complaints by Auckland councillors about the release of reports related to the proposed central city stadium.

Two Auckland councillors made the complaints in regards to a decision made by the council to impose conditions on the release of the National Stadium and Precinct Pre-feasibility study to councillors.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said on Thursday the first part of the investigation was underway.

'I have written to the chief executive of Auckland Council and notified the complainants.'

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Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said he welcomed the Ombudsman's investigation and said his office would 'co-operate fully' with any requests.

Councillor Cathy Casey, one of three who lodged a complaint with the ombudsman over the report, said she looked forward to the Chief Ombudsman's response with interest.

Councillors Efeso Collins and John Watson previously claimed the full report could only be viewed in Auckland Mayor Phil Goff's office, under supervision.

Collins said the lack of trust from the mayor was 'disappointing' and ultimately felt the report was a waste of ratepayer money.

'I have been absolutely appalled by how this has been handled,' he said.

'It is not a high trust environment where we have to go up to the mayors' office to view this report under the eye of his staff. I suspect he fears information could be leaked, but that is his issue.

'We are the elected members of Auckland – if he does not trust us with the findings, who will he trust?'

Casey echoed their concerns at the time, saying she had never been treated with such 'disrespect' in her 24 years as a councillor.

Phil Wilson, governance director for Auckland Council, said members of the organisation thought they had responded to the concerns of councillors by taking the report out of the mayoral office and making unredacted copies available to elected members on request.

Earlier this week, nearly half of Auckland councillors penned a letter of no confidence in Goff over what they called a lack of transparency and creating a distrustful environment.

In response, Goff told Stuff there was 'no lack of transparency' and councillors had access to a copy of the report two weeks after he had received it.

Some parts of the report had been redacted because stakeholders had included commercially sensitive information, he said.

The redactions had not been made by the mayor but with the council's lawyers and Regional Facilities Auckland, and had been agreed upon by the Ombudsman, he said.

'There was no secret around the report. I won't always do what some councillors want – that's not my job.'

On Thursday, Goff said he was 'keen to be transparent' in the provision of information to councillors.

'Equally, I have an obligation to ensure the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information belonging to third parties.'

Wilson promised the organisation would deliver a new protocol on the distribution of information 'as quickly as possible' with the agreement of elected members.

Boshier said he hoped to complete the investigation as soon as possible given the high public interest in the case.