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, 26 August 2025 at 1.04pm. 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

Until 3.02pm, Item C5

Members

Member Cassandra Crowley

 

 

Cr Angela Dalton

 

 

Cr Shane Henderson

Via electronic link

 

Member Martin Matthews

 

Ex-officio

Mayor Wayne Brown

From 1.41pm Item 10

Until 2.03pm, Item 14

 

Houkura Member Tony Kake, MNZM

Until 3.07pm, Item C5

 

 

 

Te Hunga Kāore i Tae Mai | ABSENT

 

Members

Cr Maurice Williamson

 

 

Ex-officio

Mayor Wayne Brown

 

 

 

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, JP

 

 

 

 

 

He Hunga atu anō i Tae mai | IN ATTENDANCE

 

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

26 August 2025

 

 

 

1          Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/37

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         whakaae / accept the apologies from:

Absence

Cr M Williamson – on council business

Mayor W Brown – on council business

Deputy Mayor Cr D Simpson, JP – on council business

 

Early Departure

Cr J Watson

Houkura Member T Kake, MNZM

CARRIED

Note:   Mayor W Brown subsequently entered the meeting at 1.41pm.

 

Electronic attendance

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/38

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         whakaae / approve electronic attendance under Standing Order 3.3.3 for:

·         Cr S Henderson (SO 3.3.3 a))

CARRIED

 

 

2          Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

 

Member C 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/2025/39

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)         whakaū / confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 13 May 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/2025/40

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whakaae / approve the Audit and Risk Committee forward work programme, noting that no changes have been made.

CARRIED

 

 

 

9

Houkura - IMSB Treaty Audit monitoring update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/41

MOVED by Member M Matthews, seconded by Houkura Member T Kake:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the update on the progress of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Audits recommendations, as set out in the He Waka Kōtuia Te Tiriti o Waitangi Audit Response Work Programme 2024–2027 (Attachment A)

b)      tuhi tīpoka / note that the Risk and Assurance department will continue to report the progress of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Audits recommendations to this committee on a six-monthly basis.

CARRIED

 

 


 

 

10

Auckland Council Health, Safety and Wellbeing Update August 2025

 

Mayor W Brown entered the meeting at 1.41pm.

 

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/42

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

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 their information.

CARRIED

 

 

11

The Auditor-General's report to governors on the interim audit for the year ended 30 June 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/43

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the matters identified in the Controller and Auditor-General’s report to governors, for the interim audit of the year ended 30 June 2025, and management’s responses.

CARRIED

 

 

12

Auckland Council Group's NZX preliminary announcement and financial results to 30 June 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/44

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that there are no significant outstanding issues relating to the process for the preparation of the draft 2025 NZX release.

b)      tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that the draft 2025 NZX release will be discussed in the confidential section of this meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

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

 

There was no consideration of extraordinary items.

 

 


 

 

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

Mayor W Brown retired from the meeting at 2.03pm.

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/45

MOVED by Houkura Member T Kake, seconded by Cr A Dalton:  

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 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 - August 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: Data and Privacy 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)(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 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.

 

 

 

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 used 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: Council Group Post Insurance Renewal Update August 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)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

In particular, the report contains details of the proposed insurance strategy, policies and programme for which terms and costings are being negotiated with the insurance market.

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: 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)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would disclose a trade secret.

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 thrid 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.

 

 

 

 

C6       CONFIDENTIAL: Internal Audit and Integrity 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 NZX preliminary announcement and financial results to 30 June 2025 and year-end reporting and audit requirements

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

In particular, the report contains information that will be included in the annual report for the year ended 30 June 2025 which cannot be made public until it is 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: 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

 

 

2.03pm            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.

 

4.25pm            The public was re-admitted.

 

restatementS

 

 

It was resolved while the public was excluded:

 

 

C2

CONFIDENTIAL: Data and Privacy Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/46

MOVED by Houkura Member T Kake, seconded by Member C Crowley:  

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the update on the Data and Privacy strategic risk, progress made to date and plans for FY2025/2026

Restatement:

b)      whakaae / agree that the decision be restated in the open minutes, but the Data and Privacy Update report remains confidential.

 


 

 

C3

CONFIDENTIAL: Cyber Security Strategic Risk Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/47

MOVED by Member M Matthews, 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: Council Group Post Insurance Renewal Update August 2025

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/48

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the update on the council group’s insurance renewal placement for 2025-2026

b)      tuhi tīpoka / note the update on the Auckland Anniversary flood claim, self-insurance fund, and the cumulative loss modelling

Restatement

c)      whakaae / agree that the decision be transferred to the open minutes, but the report remains confidential.

 

 

C5

CONFIDENTIAL: City Rail Link risk update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/49

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / 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 remains confidential.

 

 

C6

CONFIDENTIAL: Internal Audit and Integrity Update

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/50

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

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 and Attachment B)

Restatement

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

 

C1

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

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/51

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      tuhi tīpoka / note the written quarterly updates provided by Auckland Transport, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Watercare and Group Shared Services for the period May-August 2025

b)      tuku ki tangata kē / forward this report including the attachments relating to Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Watercare to the Council Controlled Organisation Direction and Oversight Committee

c)      tuku ki tangata kē / forward 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.

 

 

C7

CONFIDENTIAL: Auckland Council Group's NZX preliminary announcement and financial results to 30 June 2025 and year-end reporting and audit requirements

 

Resolution number ARCCC/2025/52

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      ohia / endorse the release of the draft 2025 NZX preliminary announcement and accompanying media release for the year ended 30 June 2025, subject to editorial and technical changes to the documents, with any significant changes to be notified and approved by the Audit and Risk Committee chair and the group chief financial officer.

b)      tūtohungia / recommend that, on 26 August 2025, the deputy mayor recommends to the mayor and chief executive to approve and release the items identified in clause a) above to the NZX on 28 August 2025.

c)      whakarite / provide feedback on the draft fraud questionnaires to the group financial controller by 25 August 2025.

Restatement

d)      whakaae / agree that the report and attachment 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/2025/53

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

That the Audit and Risk Committee:

a)      whiwhi / receive the information provided by the Auditor-General and his 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.

 

 

 

 

 

As this was Cr Angela Dalton’s final meeting as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Chairperson and members thanked her for her contribution to the committee over many years, both as a member and prior to being a member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.25pm                                               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:.......................................................