Face of the Day

Auckland Council has been taken to court by its Māori advisory board over appointing a new chairman to its water business.

The Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) is seeking a judicial review in the High Court at Auckland to overturn the appointment of Geoff Hunt as chairman of Watercare.

IMSB chairman David Taipari said the board believed the decision to appoint Hunt was procedurally unlawful.

Taipari said a panel unanimously recommended a Māori candidate for the role, but when it came to the council’s performance and appointments committee for a decision behind closed doors, an amendment by councillor Maurice Williamson for Hunt to get the role was passed.

NZ Herald