Komiti mō te Tātari me te Mātai Tūraru /

Audit and Risk Committee

 

OPEN MINUTES

 

 

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee held in Room 1, Level 26, Te Wharau o Tāmaki - Auckland House, 135 Albert Street, Auckland on Tuesday, 3 December 2024 at 2.02pm. A recording of the open meeting is available on:https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/how-auckland-council-works/meetings-council-bodies/Pages/webcasts-council-meetings.aspx

 

Te Hunga kua Tae mai | present

 

Chairperson

Paul Connell

 

Deputy Chairperson

Cr John Watson

 

Members

Member Cassandra Crowley

 

 

Cr Shane Henderson

 

 

Member Martin Matthews

 

 

Te Hunga Kāore i Tae Mai | ABSENT

 

Members

Cr Angela Dalton

 

 

Cr Maurice Williamson

 

Ex-officio

Mayor Wayne Brown

 

 

Houkura Member Tony Kake

 

 

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, JP

 

 

 

Te Hunga Āpiti kua Tae mai | ALSO PRESENT

 

 

Cr Mike Lee

Until 4.37pm, Item C1

 

 

He Hunga atu anō i Tae mai | IN ATTENDANCE

 

 

Andrew McConnell, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General

 

David Taylor, Sector Manager - Auckland

 

Wikus Jansen van Rensburg Audit Director, Audit New Zealand

 

René van Zyl, Audit Director, Audit New Zealand

 

Christine Liu, Audit Manager, Audit New Zealand

 

 

 


Audit and Risk Committee

03 December 2024

 

 

 

1          Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/70

MOVED by Cr S Henderson, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         whakaae / accept the apologies from:

Absence

Member Cr Angela Dalton

Member Cr Maurice Williamson – on council business

Deputy Mayor Cr Desley Simpson, JP – on council business

Houkura Member Tony Kake

Mayor Wayne Brown – on council business.

CARRIED

 

 

2          Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

 

Member Cassandra Crowley declared that she was the Deputy Chair of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

 

 

 

3          Te Whakaū i ngā Āmiki | Confirmation of Minutes

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/71

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         whakaū / confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.

CARRIED

 

 

4          Ngā Petihana | Petitions

 

There were no petitions.

 

 

5          Ngā Kōrero a te Marea | Public Input

 

There was no public input.

 

 

6          Ngā Kōrero a te Poari ā-Rohe Pātata | Local Board Input

 

There was no local board input.

 

 

7          Ngā Pakihi Autaia | Extraordinary Business

 

There was no extraordinary business.

 

8

Forward Work Programme 2024-2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/72

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whakaae / approve the Audit and Risk Committee forward work programme 2024-2025.

CARRIED

 

 

9

Storm Recovery Risk and Quality Assurance

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/73

MOVED by Member M Matthews, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the Recovery Office update.

CARRIED

 

 

10

Local Water Done Well update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/74

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson, seconded by Chairperson P Connell:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the update on progress implementing the Local Water Done Well – Auckland solution.

CARRIED

 

 

The Chairperson accorded precedence to Item 12 - Enterprise Risk Update – December 2024 and Item 13 - Sustainable Finance Programme Update at this time.

 

 

12

Enterprise Risk Update - December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/75

MOVED by Cr S Henderson, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the Enterprise Risk Update – December 2024 report and updated strategic risks

b)      tūtohungia / recommend the Enterprise Risk Update – December 2024 report to the Governing Body for information.

CARRIED

 


 

 

13

Sustainable Finance Programme Update

 

The meeting adjourned at 2.27pm and reconvened at 2.59pm

 

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/76

MOVED by Member C Crowley, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the developments in the council’s Sustainable Finance Programme over the last twelve months.

CARRIED

 

 

Note:   Item 12 – Enterprise Risk Update – December 2024 and Item 13 - Sustainable Finance Programme Update were considered prior to Item 11 – Health, Safety and Wellbeing Q1 FY25 Update.

 

 

11

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Q1 FY25 Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/77

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi a-taipitopito / note the information in this report and the associated health, safety, and wellbeing indicators

b)      whakaae / agree to refer this report to the Governing Body, and recommend that the Governing Body forwards this report to Local Boards for their information.

CARRIED

 

 

14

Risk Management Approach for the Annual Plan 2025/2026

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/78

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the identified risks relating to the Annual Plan 2025/2026, as contained in this report

b)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that there remains a need for careful and ongoing monitoring and management of key financial risks

c)      whakaae / agree to advise the Governing Body that an appropriate approach is being taken to manage the key financial risks associated with the Annual Plan 2025/2026

d)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that if the Governing Body’s decision-making in December 2024 triggers an audit review, an update will be provided to the Audit and Risk Committee prior to the Budget Committee adopting the consultation material in February 2025.

CARRIED

 

 

 

15

Final Office of the Auditor- General report to the Council for the year ended 30 June 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/79

MOVED by Member C Crowley, seconded by Chairperson P Connell:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi a-taipitopito / note the matters identified by the Office of the Auditor-General in its report to governors for the year ended 30 June 2024, and Auckland Council’s responses to those matters.

CARRIED

 

 

16

Endorsement of the draft Office of the Auditor-General Interim Review Engagement Letter for the 6 months ended 31 December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/80

MOVED by Member C Crowley, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      arotake / review and ohia / endorse Audit New Zealand’s draft interim review engagement letter, including the proposed review engagement fee

b)      tono / request Audit New Zealand issue the final interim review audit engagement letter

c)      tono / request the mayor and chief executive sign the final interim review audit engagement letter.

CARRIED

 

 

17

Climate disclosure work programme update December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/81

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson, seconded by Cr S Henderson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the Auckland Council Group’s progress towards compliance with climate disclosure standards and associated legislation which came into effect from 30 June 2024.

CARRIED

 

 

18

Review of the draft Auditor-General limited assurance engagement letter on consolidated greenhouse gas emissions disclosures for the year ended 30 June 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/82

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      arotake / review Audit New Zealand’s draft limited assurance engagement letter.

CARRIED

 

 

 

19

Preparation of the interim report and NZX release for the six months ending 31 December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/83

MOVED by Member M Matthews, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the information contained in this financial process status update for the Auckland Council Group NZX announcement and interim report for the six months ending 31 December 2024

b)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that an update on the confidential matters and confidential draft documents related to the interim report and NZX release will be discussed later in this meeting in confidence.

CARRIED

 

 

20

Annual report on the performance of the Audit and Risk Committee

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/84

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive this annual report on the performance of the Audit and Risk Committee

b)      tūtohungia / recommend that the chief executive place the report on the next available meeting agenda of the Governing Body.

CARRIED

 

 

 

21        Te Whakaaro ki ngā Take Pūtea e Autaia ana | Consideration of Extraordinary Items

 

There was no consideration of extraordinary items.

 

 

 

22        Te Mōtini ā-Tukanga hei Kaupare i te Marea | Procedural motion to exclude the        public

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/85

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whakaae / agree to exclude the public from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

b)      whakaae / agree that Andrew McConnell, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General, David Taylor, Sector Manager - Auckland, Wikus Jansen van Rensburg, Audit Director, Audit New Zealand, René van Zyl, Audit Director, Audit New Zealand and Christine Liu, Audit Manager, Audit New Zealand be permitted to remain for the confidential part of the meeting after the public has been excluded, because of their knowledge of matters which will help the Audit and Risk Committee in its decision-making.

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution follows.

This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public, as follows:

C1       CONFIDENTIAL: Substantive Council-Controlled Organisations' Quarterly Risk Update - December 2024

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(c)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same source and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied.

In particular, the report contains risk reporting and detailed risks confidential to the substantive council-controlled organisations' boards or Audit and Risk Committees. The substantive council-controlled organisations have provided their risk reports for council's Audit and Risk Committee subject to confidentiality.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C2       CONFIDENTIAL: Legal Risk Report

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(g) - The withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege.

s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

In particular, the report contains legally privileged and commercially sensitive information.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C3       CONFIDENTIAL: Cyber Security strategic risks update

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(a) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of a deceased person.

s7(2)(d) - The withholding of the information is necessary to avoid prejudice to measures protecting the health and safety of members of the public.

s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

s7(2)(j) - The withholding of the information is necessary to prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage.

In particular, the report contains information that could be misused by hostile actors to target the council, or its employees, ratepayers, or customers, which if successful could include the disclosure of a wide variety of confidential, private or sensitive information.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C4       CONFIDENTIAL: Internal Audit Update

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(c)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same source and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied.

s7(2)(c)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to damage the public interest.

In particular, the report contains information which if released would jeopardise the effective delivery of the Internal Audit work programme.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C5       CONFIDENTIAL: Enterprise Risk Update - December 2024

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(c)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same source and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied.

s7(2)(c)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to damage the public interest.

In particular, the report contains detailed information on the mitigation activities of the strategic risks that could be detrimental to risk management objectives if in the public arena.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C6       CONFIDENTIAL: Interim report and NZX release for the six months ending 31 December 2024

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(j) - The withholding of the information is necessary to prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage.

In particular, the report and attachments contain information regarding the interim report and financial results of the Auckland Council Group to 31 December 2024 which cannot be made public until released to the NZX

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C7       CONFIDENTIAL: Office of the Auditor-General and Audit New Zealand briefing

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(j) - The withholding of the information is necessary to prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage.

In particular, the report from the Office of the Auditor-General and Audit New Zealand contains information regarding the financial results of the Auckland Council Group and Auckland Council for 31 December 2024 which cannot be made public until released to the NZX.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C8       CONFIDENTIAL: City Rail Link risk update

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(b)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information.

s7(2)(c)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same source and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied.

s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

In particular, the report contains information received under an obligation of confidence, relates to ongoing commercial negotiations and may be prejudicial to third parties.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

 

The text of these resolutions is made available to the public who are present at the meeting and form part of the minutes of the meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

3.44pm            The public was excluded.

 

Resolutions in relation to the confidential items are recorded in the confidential section of these minutes and are not publicly available.

 

6.05pm            The public was re-admitted.

 

 

restatementS

 

It was resolved while the public was excluded:

 

C1

CONFIDENTIAL: Substantive Council-Controlled Organisations' Quarterly Risk Update - December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/87

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the written and verbal updates provided by Watercare Services Limited

b)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the written updates provided by Auckland Transport Limited, Eke Panuku, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

c)      tautohu / refer this report including the attachments relating to Eke Panuku Development Auckland, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Watercare Services Limited to the Council Controlled Organisation Direction and Oversight Committee

d)      tautohu / refer this report including the attachments relating to Auckland Transport only to the Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee

Restatement

e)      whakaae / agree that the decisions be released in the open minutes, but this report and its attachments remain confidential.

 

 

C2

CONFIDENTIAL: Legal Risk Report

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/88

MOVED by Cr S Henderson, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:   

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the Legal Risk report

Restatement

b)      whakaae / agree that the decisions be restated in the open minutes, but the Legal Risk report remains confidential.

 

 

C3

CONFIDENTIAL: Cyber Security strategic risks update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/86

MOVED by Member M Matthews, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the update on cyber security strategic risks

Restatement

b)      whakaae / agree that the decision be restated in the open minutes, but the Cyber Security strategic risk update report remains confidential.

 

 

C4

CONFIDENTIAL: Internal Audit Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/90

MOVED by Member C Crowley, seconded by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the update on assurance activities performed by the Risk and Assurance department

Restatement

b)      whakaae / agree that the decisions be transferred to the open minutes, but the report and attachments remain confidential.

 

 

C5

CONFIDENTIAL: Enterprise Risk Update - December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/91

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson, seconded by Member M Matthews:   

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the confidential Enterprise Risk Update - December 2024 report

Restatement

b)      whakaae / agree that the decision be transferred to the open minutes but the report and attachments remain confidential.

 

 

C6

CONFIDENTIAL: Interim report and NZX release for the six months ending 31 December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/92

MOVED by Member M Matthews, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the information contained in this financial process status update

b)      ohia / endorse the accounting policies, key financial statements, judgements, estimates and assumptions for the Auckland Council Group included in the pro forma interim report, subject to changes identified by management and Audit New Zealand

c)      tono / request committee members provide any further feedback on the pro forma interim report to staff by 14 January 2025

d)      tautapa / delegate authority to the committee chair and group chief financial officer to endorse significant amendments to the interim report

e)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the draft responses to Audit New Zealand's enquiries on fraud management

f)       tono / request feedback on the fraud questionnaire to staff by 14 January 2025

Restatement

g)      whakaae / agree that the report and attachments will remain confidential, but the decisions be restated in the open minutes.

 

 

C7

CONFIDENTIAL: Office of the Auditor-General and Audit New Zealand briefing

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/93

MOVED by Member C Crowley, seconded by Cr S Henderson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the information provided by the Auditor-General’s representatives, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General Andrew McConnell, Sector Manager – Auckland David Taylor and Audit Directors Wikus Jansen van Rensburg and René van Zyl and thank them for their attendance

Restatement

b)      whakaae / agree that the report and attachment will remain confidential, but the decisions be restated in the open minutes.

 

 

C8

CONFIDENTIAL: City Rail Link risk update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2024/89

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the City Rail Link Project risk and assurance update

Restatement

b)      whakaae / agree that the decisions be released in the open minutes, but this report remain confidential.

 

 

 

 

 

6.05pm                                               The chairperson thanked members for their attendance and attention to business and declared the meeting closed.

 

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD AT A MEETING OF THE Audit and Risk Committee HELD ON

 

 

 

DATE:.........................................................................

 

 

 

CHAIRPERSON:.......................................................