10 June 2025
Official information request 8140016149
(Please quote this in any correspondence)
Michael Aldershott
By email:
[FYI request #30967 email]
Dear Mr Aldershott
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Re: Code of Conduct
Thank you for your information request dated 13 May 2025, for information about Code of
Conduct complaints statistics for Hibiscus and Bays Local Board and Rodney Local Board.
The specific details of your request and our response is below.
How many code of conduct complaints have been made in total regarding Hibiscus and
Bays and Rodney local board members this term, and last term, and against whom?
Our response to your request addresses only those complaints that were formally lodged and
accepted for assessment under the Code of Conduct complaints process, as outlined in the
Auckland Council Elected Members’ Code of Conduct (2021). It does not cover any conduct-
related concerns that were not submitted through this formal process or were raised and
addressed via informal or other channels.
It is important to note that the Auckland Council Code of Conduct for Elected Members permits
complaints to be made about elected members by a range of people, including members of
the public. The fact that a complaint has been made about a member does not, of itself, mean
that an elected member has acted improperly or in breach of the Code of Conduct. For that
reason, it is important to ensure that information about a complaint received about an elected
member is considered in the context of the outcome of the complaint. This helps avoid
misrepresentation and reputational harm.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board members complaints statistics
• During the 2019-2022 electoral term, no Code of Conduct complaints were received
against Hibiscus and Bays local board members.
• In the current term (2022-2025), we received 4 Code of Conduct complaints against
Jake Law. Three of the four complaints were dismissed, and while the fourth did not
contain a breach the Code, efforts were recommended to help resolve the underlying
misunderstanding.
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
Rodney Local Board members complaints statistics
During the 2019-2022 electoral term, we received 6 Code of Conduct complaints against
members of the Rodney Local Board. The complaints relate to the following members:
• Colin Smith - complaint was resolved by the respondent/no further action taken
• Beth Houlbrooke, Phelan Pirrie, Brent Bailey, Danielle Hancock – no breach
found/complaint dismissed
• Colin Smith - complaint was resolved by the respondent/no further action taken
• Colin Smith - no breach found/complaint dismissed
• Colin Smith – complaint was resolved by the respondent/no further action taken
In the current term (2022-2025), we received 7 Code of Conduct complaints against members
of the Rodney Local Board. The complaints and their outcomes relate to the following
members:
• Geoff Upson: complaint upheld (non-material breach)
• Geoff Upson: complaint successful resolved through mediation
• Geoff Upson: no breach found/complaint dismissed
• Guy Wishart: no breach found/complaint dismissed
• Colin Smith: complaint withdrawn/no further action taken
• Brent Bailey: complaint upheld (material breach)
The decision by Auckland Council to release the information contained in this response was
made by
Lou-Ann Ballantyne, General Manager - Governance and Engagement. You have the right to complain to the Ombudsman if you believe we have not responded
appropriately to your request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you have any further queries, please contact me quoting official information request number
8140016149.
Kind regards,
Fernanda Maciel
Privacy and Official Information Business Partner
Customer Experience and Digital Services
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
