Face of the Day

Heart of the City has engaged lawyers, agreed to launch a governance review and is beefing up its “financial oversight” as an investigation is carried out relating to its suspended chief executive Viv Beck.

Beck was stood down from her role several weeks ago. The business advocacy group says she is still an employee.

The Herald understands Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown wrote to Heart of the City (HOTC) in March with concerns about the agency’s governance before Beck was stood down.

It’s understood the letter raised concerns about the high turnover of board chairs, whether there were appropriate governance measures for oversight of the organisation’s management, and whether the agency was delivering for the 15,500 businesses it was contractually responsible for.

The mayor’s letter said there was a trust and confidence issue, and credibility concerns.

It’s also understood the letter reiterated that Auckland Council reserved the right to review HOTC’s targeted rate funding.

NZ Herald