Auckland Council saying but not delivering on Māori projects

An independent assessment of Auckland Council expenditure shows a large gap between what is being said, and what is being delivered to achieve Māori outcomes. The report reveals not only a significant underspend by council during the 18 month period, it also highlights a lack of alignment between council’s intent, to council’s strategy and delivery of specific Māori initiatives. Inaccuracies in expenditure reports reveal overstated claims of spending on Māori outcomes in the first quarter of 2013 by approximately $200,000.

Of council’s $1.3 billion capital expenditure from the previous financial year, only $976,000 from an allocated $3.97 million budget for council identified Māori projects was spent; showing actual expenditure was less than 25% of the annual Māori project budget. The first six months of this financial year (to December 2013) shows expenditure at only 15% of the annual budget for these projects.

The Independent Māori Statutory Board engaged auditors KPMG to identify and assess plans and related activities, initiatives, projects and related expenditure connected to delivery of Māori outcomes and whether council processes supported these. This included stakeholder interviews with council, council controlled organisations and external parties which took place in early 2014 along with a review of key documents and validation of actual expenditure
The Independent Māori Statutory Board Chairman David Taipari says, “These projects are vital in demonstrating cultural identity and promoting successful partnerships. Supporting KPMG’s recommendations to rectify poor quality reporting to council committees in order to present a fair view of progress against the Māori outcomes budget and council leadership taking a top down view, will go a long way toward achieving the successful conclusion of these projects.”

ENDS

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