The Review and Observer Team was established to address elected member relationship issues.
At a Council meeting on 21 August 2020, a proactive approach was adopted in response to a Department of Internal Affairs request for evidence that the council was taking steps to “restore trust and confidence in its ability to meet the Crown’s expectations of a high-performing council”.
Peter Winder was appointed as chairperson on 2 September 2020. He then selected two members – Basil Morrison and Linda Tuhiwai Smith.
 |
Peter Winder
Peter has significant local government experience.
He formerly served as the Crown-appointed commissioner and the Crown manager of the Kaipara District Council. He was also the chief executive of the Auckland Regional Council and Local Government New Zealand.
He is currently chairperson of both the Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec, a member of the State Services Commission Risk and Audit Committee, and a member of the Council of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. He is also the director of McGredy Winder & Co.
|
 |
Basil Morrison
Basil has significant public and private sector governance experience.
He is currently serving as the Republic of Uganda’s Honorary Consul in New Zealand, the director of Civic Insurance, and a trustee for Civic Property Pool.
Basil is also a Waitangi Tribunal member and chairperson of the New Zealand Local Government Superannuation Board of Trustees.
Formerly, he has served as:
- chair of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum
- chairperson of the Local Government Commission
- president of Local Government New Zealand
- a regional councillor for Environment Waikato
- the first mayor of the Hauraki District Council
- county chairman for the Ohinemuri County Council.
Basil is a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit and is a recipient of the 1990 Medal for Local Government Services.
|
 |
Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Linda, of Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Porou descent, is a professor of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.
She is recognised internationally for her research in indigenous education, indigenous health and decolonising research methodologies.
Linda has served on several Cabinet-appointed advisory boards and has considerable public sector governance experience.
She is one of the first Māori women to become a Fellow of the Royal Society, has received an Honorary Doctorate in Canada, and has received the Prime Minister’s Award for lifetime achievement in education.
|
Role and Terms of Reference
The team’s role is to provide support, guidance and assistance to ensure that the council’s elected members can work together as a governing body; have the capability and knowledge to make decisions effectively; and can address any behaviours which might impact on its decision-making on behalf of the city.
It will also investigate and report on the nature, extent and causes of governance performance issues; monitor and report on progress to the council and chief executive; and set out measures of success and an action plan to achieve those measures.
The first report will be submitted 4-6 weeks after the team is constituted, after which the Council will consider the need to continue the review and observation process.
Terms of Reference for the Review and Observer Team (308kb pdf)
Expected costs for the 2020/21 financial year will be up to $350,000, including team member remuneration, governance executive remuneration, legal costs and any measuring and monitoring tools required.
Review and Observer Team Report
This Review and Observer Team report addresses the problems that have been observed and provides a recommended action plan.
Review and Observer Team Report (1.1mb pdf)