Minister's message to Council made clear

Mayor Julie Hardaker, Councillor Martin Gallagher and Chief Executive Barry Harris met with Local Government Minister Rodney Hide today, where the findings of the Audit New Zealand report where the subject of extensive discussion.

Mr Hide voiced serious concerns about the findings of the report, which detailed serious shortcomings in the financial reporting, delegation of authority and contract management pertaining to the event.

Mr Hide said he had put Council “on notice” and made it clear he expected Council to make further changes to address the recommendations in the Audit NZ report, or the Government would look at a review process under the Local Government Act.

Ms Hardaker will report regularly to the Local Government Minister on the further changes to be made by Hamilton City Council and the timeframe for this.

Mr Harris will also present and discuss his response to the Audit New Zealand report at Wednesday’s Extraordinary Council Meeting. His report includes details of 27 planned organisational changes which he believes will lead to improved financial reporting, assessment of risk, and management of large Council projects.

Ms Hardaker said: “Hamilton’s community has expressed serious concerns about the handling of the V8s, particularly around accountability and transparency. Those concerns are valid, and Hamilton ratepayers need assurance that the shortcoming identified in the report are already being rectified. Council has already this year made a number of changes that address the recommendations in the V8 audit report, and Council is in the process of discussing further changes at governance to ensure there is no repeat of the issues which arose around V8 process.”