Mayoral Concert: Police Find No Offence

Wellington Electoral Officer Ross Bly has been told today by the Police that they have investigated a complaint under the Local Electoral Act 2001 about yesterday's mayoral concert for the elderly.

Mr Bly was today contacted by the Acting Wellington Police Area Commander, Inspector Simon Perry, who stated the matter had been reviewed and as a result, no offence has been disclosed.

Mayoral candidate Bryan Pepperell complained to Mr Bly on Friday about issues relating to the scheduling and organisation of the concert and the involvement of Mayor Kerry Prendergast. Under the Electoral Act 2001, Mr Bly was required to forward the complaint to the Police.

City Council Chief Executive Garry Poole also carried out an urgent investigation over the weekend given the issues raised, and because the concert was scheduled for yesterday. He was satisfied the Mayor has not committed any wrongdoing and the concert, and her attendance at it, could go ahead.

His inquiries established that Mayor Prendergast had no involvement in the scheduling of the concert and that the date was set by Council staff in December 2009 - when it was not known if Mayor Prendergast would be seeking a further term of office.

The annual concert was scheduled and organised by the Council's community services staff who sought to hold the event as close as possible to the International Day of the Older Person - which was on Friday 1 October.