OIR: 2526/29 12 August 2025
Fraser Robertson
[FYI request #31706 email] Tēnā koe Fraser,
Request for Information under the Local Government Official Information and
Meetings Act 1987 (the Act) (the LGOIMA)
Thank you for your email of
22 July 2025 requesting the following information:
I am requesting full details relating to the Chief Executive’s participation in the
Leadership for Senior Executives program at Harvard Business School,
including:
1. A complete breakdown of all costs incurred, including but not limited to:
•
Tuition or program fees
•
Flights
•
Accommodation
•
Meals, per diems, and incidentals
•
Any related travel, insurance, or discretionary spending
Course fee
$ 29,550.83
(USD $17,500)
Fri 6 June to Sunday 8
Accommodation
$ 1,140.29
June*
Airfares
$ 11,739.13
Meals
$ 142.68
Two dinners
Transport - ubers $ 406.07
5 x Ubers in USA
TOTAL
$ 42,979.00
*Accommodation was for two nights prior to the course. While the memo
mentioned 1 night, due to available flights, this became two nights. During the
course, accommodation was provided and included within the course fee.
Two nights accommodation following the course before returning to New
Zealand was self-funded.
Please note that any information provided in response to your request may be published on the Council website, with
your personal details removed.
Uber
breakdown
NZD
USD
Description
Hotel to airport - trip
17/06/2025 $ 102.73
$ 60.40 home
14/06/2025 $ 112.47
$ 66.24 Havard to Hotel
9/06/2025 $ 28.69
$ 16.91 Hotel to Havard
8/06/2025 $ 13.47
$ 7.94 Dinner to hotel
7/06/2025 $ 148.71
$ 87.60 Airport to hotel
TOTAL
$ 406.07
2. The total cost to the Council for this trip and course.
$42,979.00
3. A copy of all documents, emails, memos, or briefings used to seek, justify,
or approve this expenditure — including sign-off by elected members or
senior staff, if applicable.
Please see attached memorandum (Attachment 1) and emails (Attachment 2)
where the spending was approved.
The decision to approve attendance at the course was made by the Chief
Executive Performance and Employment Committee (CEPEC). Please refer to
page 23 of the governance structure document
on this page of our website A report was provided to the CEPEC committee on 20 February 2025. That report
was considered in public excluded business on the grounds of section 7(2)(a) –
privacy of natural persons.
While there is a high degree of public interest in the performance of chief
executives in the public sector, a chief executive can still advocate for themselves
with their employer and are entitled to privacy in relation to their performance
discussions, how their performance is assessed, and the professional
development plan to achieve this. Accordingly, this report is withheld under section
7(2)(a) of the LGOIMA. In Council’s view the reasons for withholding these details
are not outweighed by public interest considerations in section 7(1) favouring their
release.
The resolution from CEPEC is included in the attached memorandum which
approves the spending on the course.
Please note that any information provided in response to your request may be published on the Council website,
with your personal details removed.
4. Any relevant policy, framework, or criteria that govern executive
professional development expenditure — particularly for offshore
programs of this cost and nature.
The General Expenses policy is attached (Attachment 3). The expenditure was
approved in line with paragraph 4.5.2. The expenditure was approved by
memorandum signed by the Mayor and the Group Manager Corporate Services.
Also refer to question 3 above.
5. Any post-program evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, or reporting
completed upon return — or an explanation if no such review was
required.
I understand an update is to be provided at the next CEPEC meeting. This update
has not yet been prepared. Accordingly, this part of your request is refused under
section 17(e) of the Act as the documents alleged to contain the information
requested does not exist.
You have the right to request the Ombudsman to review this decision. Complaints can
be sent by email to
[email address], or by post to The Ombudsman,
PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi,
Sean Mallon
Acting Chief Executive
Te Tumuaki
Please note that any information provided in response to your request may be published on the Council website,
with your personal details removed.
