20 January 2022
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Fletcher Tabuteau role at council
Enquiry
NOTE: the following were follow-ups to an initial enquiry about the same matter, which RLC responded to yesterday (Weds 19 Jan) - see HERE:
Follow-up 1 (received 19 Jan) -
Just a clarifying follow up: Did the council consider a conflict of interest risk from July when Fletcher announced he would run for mayor? Why / why not?
Follow-up 2 (received 20 Jan) –
Hi there,
I've received these comments from Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers group on this issue, which I would like to provide to the council for the right of reply.
Please also indicate any inaccuracies in the below if applicable.
If the council intends to respond, can it please do so by 2pm?
If the council doesn't want to comment on the below, it would be great if you could let me know as soon as possible.
Thanks very much
Felix
--
COMMENTS:
(RDRR press release)
“Has investigative journalism revealed a case of council officials preparing a mayoral candidate?” asked Dr Reynold Macpherson, Residents and Ratepayer’s endorsed mayoral candidate. “Given Mr Tabuteau’s public endorsement as a mayoral candidate in July 2021, why has the conflict of interest taken another six months to be recognized and acted on? Is it a case of political activism by officials intent on the bureaucratic capture of the mayoralty? Are senior officials committed to political neutrality and avoiding perceptions of nepotism? Should there be accountability using a code of conduct for officials?”
Mark Gould, ex-District Councillor and RDRR’s candidate for the BOP Regional Council, pointed out that ex-MP Tabuteau would have been fully briefed on governance and conflicts of interest. He recalled that when the Mayor announced last July that she was not standing again, ousted MP Tabuteau was simultaneously endorsed by Labour List MP Tamati Coffey, Te Arawa Lakes Trust CEO Karen Verco, Ngāti Whakaue kaumatua Monty Morrison and Cr Merepeka Raukawa-Tait. He asked if these four sponsors knew in advance of Tabuteau being favoured by this secret ‘jobs for the boys’ process that could also be seen as funding his mayoralty campaign. And if they did not approve of these arrangements, would they now be withdrawing their endorsements?
Jim Adams, another RDRR-endorsed councillor candidate, believes that it was unacceptable for even a part-time appointment in a local government bureaucracy to continue after endorsement for the mayoralty. Further, in the 12-month engagement to date, he argued, Mr Tabuteau would have been fully socialised in a culture and in priorities that many ratepayers want to change. His paid immersion could have been intended to ensure that, if elected, he would continue the policies of the last nine years.
“This is not just a "perceived" conflict of interest,” concluded Dr Macpherson. “Mr Tabuteau has been in an actual conflict of interest since his announcement in July that he will be running for Mayor. The Council is literally funding their preferred mayoral candidate. This will do nothing to dispel the impression that this Council, who are supposed to be non-political, have a horse in this mayoral race.”
RDRR’s candidates were endorsed by members using a rigorous and democratic process. The RDRR was launched on 25th September 2015, replacing its predecessor, the Rotorua Pro-Democracy Society, with a wider mandate; to restore democracy, the rule of law, financial responsibility and policy making power to elected representatives.
Response
FromDCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Response to follow-up 1:
Employees who stand for local election must manage any perceived or actual conflicts as appropriate and the Local Government Act 2002 [see s41 (5)] requires they resign their council position if elected.
Conflict of interest was considered but no conflict was identified. The potential for perceived conflict was recognised, by both the organisation and Mr Tabuteau, leading to a mutual decision his contract would end. He stayed on until this month to enable project hand-over with a new employee.
Felix you may wish to speak with the electoral officer for Rotorua, Warwick Lampp, re council staff standing for election. He works for Electionz.com and can be contacted by phoning 03-377 3530
Response to follow-up 2:
The claims relating to council officials are untrue.