Is Auckland Council toxic? Closed-door Auckland Council meetings spark conduct complaint
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Auckland councillors have been reminded about the “appropriateness” of their language as allegations of a “feeding frenzy” at a closed-door, off-the-books meeting have emerged.
The Post has obtained a complaint letter to Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson describing a June meeting at which councillors scrapped over where budget cuts would come from.
“A number of chairs present devoted a significant part of the meeting to discussing how they might ‘make an example’ of those councillors who voted against the recent budget,” it alleges.
Read more:
In the letter, an anonymous complainant claimed there had been a “toxic” and “divisive” atmosphere - “akin to a feeding frenzy” - at the meeting.
“The topic of discussion by some of those present was to exact ‘revenge’ by targeting projects and investing in their areas during the forthcoming Long Term Plan process,” the letter said.
“The idea that communities dissenting councillors represent could be selectively punished is completely unethical and quite abhorrent.”
The incident appears to have taken place in a private session between chairs, with some councillors telling The Post that similar off-book meetings, absent of public scrutiny, had been cause for similar behavioural concerns.
Wilson defended the meetings, saying there were - of course - informal and administrative conversations between councillors all the time.
“The meetings referred to are of that nature and my view is that they are entirely appropriate, provided they don’t make formal decisions,” he said.
“The issue raised is, in my view, more about behavioural matters - and specifically the tone and appropriateness of language.”
Several allegations of bad behaviour have emerged from Auckland Council in recent weeks from both sides of the political spectrum, prompting the question of whether there is a “toxic” culture among councillors.
Wilson recently wrote to councillors reminding them about standards and professional obligations.
“Any guidance I gave to elected members was motivated by the general tone around the chamber and shared the concerns among councillors of the importance of professional and respectful relationships, rather than a specific complaint,” said Wilson.
Councillor Bo Burns recently took to social media saying she was concerned about discussions becoming “emotional, hostile, or intimidating” and that she had “packed up and walked out twice” from meetings.
“Someone said to me ‘don’t be a p…y, and harden up’. Well, I have proven I am not a p…., I am not afraid to speak up. And, if not accepting poor behaviour is being a p…y well, that’s crazy.”
However, several councillors have told The Post they don’t believe there is a culture issue.
Councillor Alf Filipaina said the off-book meetings were simply for “direction setting” with staff sharing their “high-level perspective”.
“If people are saying that's toxic, they need to grow a pair. Well, you can't if you're a woman, obviously,” he said.
However, Filipaina said he would be the first to speak up if there were any racial comments in the council chambers.
For instance, in one off-book meeting this month a councillor made an off-colour comment about the ethnicity of gardening contractors, provoking a strong response.
“From the councillor’s perspective, he didn’t think it was [racially insensitive]. I don’t think he really realised until it got pointed out to him,” said Filipaina. “Then afterwards, he did apologise.”
Councillor Josephine Bartley took to social media to say: “I did not accept it, however inadvertent it was … I will not allow us as Pasifika or Māori to be put in a box while I’m around this council table.”
Councillor John Watson told The Post he believed that mayor Wayne Brown had set that tone, claiming councillors were warned they would lose committee positions for voting against his initiatives.
“You’ve got this small town Mississippi type thing - with a Boss Hog who’s come down from Mangonui. But this isn’t Hazzard County, it’s the Auckland supercity with 1.8 million people,” Watson said.
In a statement, Brown said he wasn’t aware of any suggestion of a “culture of bullying” until the issue blew up on social media.
“John Watson was the only councillor who refused to shake my hand at the inauguration event after last year’s election, clearly indicating what sort of relationship he wanted.”
Brown said councillors were elected to represent the diverse communities of Auckland and “with that comes pretty robust debates and arguments”.
Councillor Greg Sayers, who has been publicly debating with Brown over a 7.9% rates rise via tit-for-tat columns, also defended the culture at the council.
He said the off-book direction setting meetings were intended to give councillors a chance to come up with what they wanted in the 10-year budget.
“What Wayne Brown is trying to do … He’s saying, look, I want you guys to come up with your own ideas.”
However, councillor Sarah Paterson-Hamlin said “personally as a younger, newer female autistic elected member I feel much more comfortable in the formal meeting that affords protection”.
“For some people, a safe space means safe to say whatever they want without media present or necessarily being held to account for it. And for some people a safe space is being free from discrimination, and those two things don’t always seem compatible,” she observed.
“I’m just trying to survive my first year [as a councillor],” said Paterson-Hamlin.