10. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour) to the Minister of Local Government: Is he satisfied with the performance of the Auckland Transition Agency?

Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) : Yes. I am very satisfied because the Auckland Transition Agency is getting on with the job. I agreed with that member when he said that Auckland has not been working for a long time and that the previous Labour Government did nothing about it. I am pleased that Mark Ford and the team at the Auckland Transition Agency—

Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. A moment ago he was questioning other Ministers’ answers. The question simply asked whether he is satisfied with the performance of the Auckland Transition Agency; it did not ask him why. I think we have heard sufficient.

Phil Twyford: Does it meet his openness and transparency test to have a former National Party president and current mayoral campaign advisor to John Banks contracted to recruit senior executives to run the super-city?

Hon RODNEY HIDE: I have taken some care with this answer because I suspected the question would be asked. I am advised that the Auckland Transition Agency’s HR adviser and the former Alliance leader, Laila Harré, led this process and that the agency considered Ms Boag’s company, Momentum, had the best proposal “in terms of quality, process, and lowest cost structure”. Momentum is one of several companies assisting with the very important job of recruitment at the new Auckland Council. I am pleased that Aucklanders from across the political divide are getting in behind the Government’s changes for Auckland and are focused on getting the very best result. I am not responsible for what Michelle Boag does in her spare time, just like I am not responsible for what Laila Harré does in her spare time.

Phil Twyford: Is he aware that Michelle Boag told the public she had nothing to do with the recruitment bid, yet the tender documents profile her as a member of the recruitment team and identify her specifically as the person who will recruit the super-city’s chief spin doctor?

Hon RODNEY HIDE: No, I am not aware of those public statements.

Phil Twyford: Is he concerned that Michelle Boag’s recruitment company, Momentum, may have misled the Auckland Transition Agency when it stated in its business proposal that it had no conflicts of interest to declare?

Hon RODNEY HIDE: No.

Phil Twyford: Will he order an investigation into the Auckland Transition Agency tendering process to assure himself and the Auckland public that the process is all above board and that there is no hint of cronyism in the awarding of tenders; if not, why not?

Hon RODNEY HIDE: No. The reason is that apart from this member’s allegations there appears to be no reason for such an investigation. I suggest to the member that if he has concerns he should frame them up and send them to the Auditor-General, who can independently consider whether an investigation is called for.

Phil Twyford: I seek leave to table the business proposal from Michelle Boag’s recruitment company, Momentum, to the Auckland Transition Agency, which profiles her as a key member of the project team responsible for recruiting the chief spin doctor for the Auckland super-city.

Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

• Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.