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, 13 May 2025 at 2.01pm. 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

 

Members

Member Cassandra Crowley

 

 

Cr Angela Dalton

 

 

Cr Shane Henderson

 

 

Member Martin Matthews

 

 

Cr Maurice Williamson

 

 

Te Hunga Kāore i Tae Mai | ABSENT

 

Deputy Chairperson

Cr John Watson

 

 

Ex-officio

Mayor Wayne Brown

 

 

 

Houkura Member Tony Kake

 

 

 

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson

 

 

 

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

 

 


Audit and Risk Committee

13 May 2025

 

 

 

1          Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/18

MOVED by Member M Matthews, seconded by Cr A Dalton:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         whakaae / accept the apologies from:

Absence

Deputy Chairperson Cr J Watson

Mayor W Brown – on council business

Houkura Member T Kake

Deputy Mayor Cr D Simpson, JP – on council business

CARRIED

 

 

2          Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

 

            There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

3          Te Whakaū i ngā Āmiki | Confirmation of Minutes

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/19

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Cr S Henderson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

b)        whakaū / confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 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/2025/20

MOVED by Cr A Dalton, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whakaae / approve the Audit and Risk Committee forward work programme, noting that the:

i)          the Group Shared Services update has been deferred

ii)         the Eke Panuku updates have been removed

iii)       the Data and Privacy update has been deferred

iv)       the Local Water Done Well update has been removed

v)         the City Rail Link update has been deferred

vi)       the Annual Report update now includes climate disclosure work.

CARRIED

 

 

9

Storm recovery risk and quality assurance update

 

A PowerPoint presentation was given. A copy has been placed on the official minutes and is available on the Auckland Council website as a minutes attachment.

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/21

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the Recovery Office update.

CARRIED

 

Attachments

a     13 May 2025, Audit and Risk Committee, Item 9 - Storm recovery risk and quality assurance update - presentation

 

 

10

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Q3 FY25 Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/22

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / 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 information.

CARRIED

 


 

 

11

Risk management update for the Annual Plan 2025/2026

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/23

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

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 the controls and risk management processes to support final decision-making for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 are ongoing and have been working effectively to date

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.

CARRIED

 

 

12

Enterprise Risk Update - May 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/24

MOVED by Cr A Dalton, seconded by Cr M Williamson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the Enterprise Risk Update – May 2025 report and updated strategic risks

b)      tūtohungia / recommend the Enterprise Risk Update – May 2025 report to the Governing Body for information

c)      whakaae / approve the Enterprise Risk Management Framework update

d)      whakaae / approve the Enterprise Risk Management Policy.

CARRIED

 

 

13

Process for Annual Green Bond Report 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/25

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the annual reporting requirements and external review commitments that the council has for its green bond programme and the 2025 Green Bond Annual Report

b)      tuhi tīpoka / note that Sustainalytics and Toitū are appointed to perform the required external reviews

c)      tuhi tīpoka / note the process to be followed by the council to prepare and have reviewed the 2025 Green Bond Annual Report

d)      tuhi tīpoka / note that the draft 2025 Green Bond Annual Report will be presented to the Audit and Risk Committee for approval in September 2025 before it is published.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

14

The Office of the Auditor-General's report to council on the review engagement for the six months ended 31 December 2024

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/26

MOVED by Cr A Dalton, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the matters identified in the Deputy Auditor-General’s review engagement report to management, for the six months ended 31 December 2024, and management’s responses.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

15

Auckland Council Group's 30 June 2025 year-end reporting and audit considerations

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/27

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the year-end financial reporting process and other information in this report together with the information in the confidential item ‘CONFIDENTIAL: Auckland Council Group’s 30 June 2025 year-end reporting and audit considerations’.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

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

 

There was no consideration of extraordinary items.

 

 


 

 

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

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/28

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Cr S Henderson:  

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, and René van Zyl, Audit Director, 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 - May 2025

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: Port of Auckland Risk Update - May 2025

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 Port of Auckland Limited's board or Audit and Risk Committee. They have provided their risk report 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.

 

C3       CONFIDENTIAL: Cyber Security Strategic 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)(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).

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: 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.

 

C5       CONFIDENTIAL: Enterprise Risk Update - May 2025

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: 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.

 

C7       CONFIDENTIAL: Auckland Council Group's 30 June 2025 year-end reporting and audit considerations

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 annual report and financial results of Auckland Council and Auckland Council Group as at 30 June 2025 which cannot be released to the public before it is released on 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: 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 and attachments contain information regarding the annual report and financial results of Auckland Council and Auckland Council Group as at 30 June 2025 which cannot be released to the public before it is released on 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.

 

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

 

 

 

3.06pm            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.

 

5.40pm            The public was re-admitted.

 

restatementS

 

It was resolved while the public was excluded:

 

 

C1

CONFIDENTIAL: Substantive Council-Controlled Organisations' Quarterly Risk Update - May 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/29

MOVED by Cr A Dalton, seconded by Member M Matthews:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the written updates provided by Eke Panuku Development Auckland,  Group Shared Services, Auckland Transport Limited, Watercare Services and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

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

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

Restatement

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

 

 

C2

CONFIDENTIAL: Port of Auckland Risk Update - May 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/34

MOVED by Cr S Henderson, seconded by Cr M Williamson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the written and verbal risk updates provided by Port of Auckland Limited

b)      tautuku / refer the Port of Auckland Limited Risk Update - May 2025 report to the Council Controlled Organisation Direction and Oversight Committee for information

Restatement

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

 

 

C3

CONFIDENTIAL: Cyber Security Strategic Risk Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/30

MOVED by Member C Crowley, seconded by Cr A Dalton:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / 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 and attachments remain confidential.

 

 

C4

CONFIDENTIAL: Legal Risk Report

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/31

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the Legal Risk report

Restatement

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

 

 

C5

CONFIDENTIAL: Enterprise Risk Update - May 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/32

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Cr A Dalton:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the contents of this 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: Internal Audit Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/33

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Cr S Henderson:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the update on assurance and other activities performed by the Risk and Assurance department (including at Attachment A)

b)      whakaae / approve the full year Internal Audit plan for FY26 (July 2025 to June 2026) (Attachment B)

c)      whakaae / approve the Internal Audit Charter (Attachment C)

Restatement

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

 

 

C7

CONFIDENTIAL: Auckland Council Group's 30 June 2025 year-end reporting and audit considerations

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/35

MOVED by Chairperson P Connell, seconded by Cr A Dalton:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the Auckland Council Group’s 30 June 2025 year end reporting matters and audit requirements

b)         ohia / endorse the relevant accounting policies, key judgements and assumptions and significant new disclosures for the Auckland Council Group for the year ending 30 June 2025, subject to any required changes identified by the committee, management and Audit New Zealand during the year end close and auditor review

c)         ohia / endorse the 30 June 2025 pro forma annual report documents in Attachments A – C, subject to updates for any changes identified during the 30 June 2025 year end close process

d)         whakarite / provide any further feedback on these pro forma annual report documents to the Group Financial Controller by 27 May 2025

e)         tautapa / delegate the chair of the committee authority to endorse any significant amendments that occur during the 30 June 2025 year end close process

Restatement

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

 


 

 

C8

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

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/36

MOVED by Cr M Williamson, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the information provided by the Auditor-General’s representatives 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.

 

 

 

 

5.40pm                                               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:.......................................................