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# Looks Dodgy, Smells Dodgy, Is Dodgy
- URL: https://goodoil.news/looks-dodgy-smells-dodgy-is-dodgy/
- Published: 2024-07-18T20:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-07-18T19:58:35.000Z
- Author: Cam Slater
- Tags: NZ, NZ Politics, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-20 04:39

When bureaucrats start playing around with OIA requests you know there is something stinky going on. Yet [that is exactly what is happening](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tauranga-city-council-cocktail-party-withholding-of-guest-list-referred-to-ombudsman/KGGC5YL3XVH4TB4VZR5UIBWC6Y/?ref=goodoil.news) at the Tauranga City Council.

> The Ombudsman has been asked to rule on whether the guest list for a $40,000 private cocktail party co-hosted by [Tauranga City Council](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/tauranga-city-council/?ref=goodoil.news) should continue to be withheld from the public.  
>  
> It comes as internal emails released to the *Bay of Plenty Times* show the decision to withhold the list was made by the council’s chief executive.  
>  
> The [invite-only event ](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-councils-private-cocktail-event-to-celebrate-city-revealed/RXXRQDCWJNDNRFQ4VTXUTT7MPI/?ref=goodoil.news)was held on May 10 and organised by the council and city partners, most of whom the council has refused to name.  
>  
> The event was considered a “celebration of the city” with the council inviting 150 people. About 160 attended.  
>  
> The council eventually said the city partners funded the event.

The officials are trying to keep it all secret.

> Carrus founder Sir Paul Adams [confirmed the property development company was one funding partner](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-councils-private-cocktail-party-cost-40k-but-details-of-who-attended-still-under-wraps/K2ECUSQLRJFMNFDC2JFKWUVYK4/?ref=goodoil.news) and has said the event was about celebrating the “long overdue” CBD revitalisation and thanking the council’s commissioners for “kick-starting” that work.  
>  
> In responses to several *Bay of Plenty Times* requests, [the council has declined to release the guest list](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-councils-private-cocktail-party-cost-40k-but-details-of-who-attended-still-under-wraps/K2ECUSQLRJFMNFDC2JFKWUVYK4/?ref=goodoil.news), with **senior staff citing privacy and “limited” public interest** given event costs did not fall on ratepayers.  
>  
> Emails between council staff and partners released to the *Bay of Plenty Times* under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act show the decision to withhold the list came from chief executive Marty Grenfell.  
>  
> The **emails show a council staff member highlighting the “high” public interest in releasing the guest list.** After further discussions, another staff member stated: “Marty’s view is that the list of invitees should not be released – he’s happy for it to be taken up with the Ombudsman, if it comes to that.”

Well, which is it? “Limited” or “high”?

This just stinks of a cover-up, and looks dodgy.

What are they trying to hide?

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