"Borderline insulting" was how one of the Auckland councillors described the conditions imposed on them around the release of a council report into the feasibility of a downtown stadium.
Mayor Phil Goff and councillor Efeso Collins at the Auckland Council swearing-in ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
Efeso Collins ended up complaining to the Ombudsman about it - and yesterday a formal investigation was announced.
Mr Collins was also one of nine councillors who signed the letter that was given to mayor Phil Goff earlier this week, raising concerns about his leadership.
One of their main problems, Mr Collins said, was the fact councillors were only able to access a full copy of the stadium report in the mayor's office.
"I find it borderline insulting for someone my age being told 'here you can have a report, and now can you give it back?'"
Mr Goff earlier told Morning Report he stood by that action, given the document contained commercially sensitive information.
While he trusted most councillors, he said he was concerned about one in particular.
"At least one of those councillors ... has leaked regularly other material that has been given and that's on record."
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Photo: Auckland Council
But Mr Collins said the rest of the council should not be punished for the actions of one councillor.
"My background's in education, this is like punishing the entire classroom because you've got one naughty child in the class, that's not how you approach education and it shouldn't be how we approach mature, elected councillors of Auckland Council."
In an ironic twist, the existence of the letter to Mr Goff was leaked to media, before the mayor had even seen it.
Mr Collins admitted that was not a good look.
"Of course that's hugely disappointing for me and the very reason that Phil Goff was probably holding back on the stadium report was because he didn't want it leaked and then this happens to us."
Mr Collins said he had approached all the councillors who signed the letter and sought assurances that they had not leaked the letter.
No one has come forward to say it was them.
Regardless, Mr Collins said those who signed the letter were worried about the way council meetings in particular were being run.
"I'm at political odds philosophically with a number of people who signed that letter, so this isn't about a group of people who have just suddenly decided to sign a letter.
"This is about a group of people who have felt like they have been belittled, where their voices haven't been heard."
Mr Collins said there was a sense that some councillors have greater access to the mayor, and that was not necessarily based on ability.
'Bit of a sideshow'
One of the 10 councillors who didn't sign the letter, Penny Hulse, said the ongoing issues were a bit of a distraction.
"The original handling of the report was a bit average but I think this is just now getting a little bit ridiculous. It's going on and on and for those of us who are pretty busy and have huge workloads - to be honest it's a bit of a sideshow."
Another councillor who didn't sign, Chris Darby, said those who did could have taken a different approach.
"It probably would have been much more appropriate to knock on the door because I've found Phil to be extremely open."
So, is the Auckland Council dysfunctional?
Mr Collins doesn't think so, and Mr Goff doesn't think so either.
"On the big issues, the council team has worked together - it's been very effective. But council is like Parliament - it's like any group of people who are elected - there are 21 different opinions there.
"From time to time we disagree - that's part of democracy," Mr Goff said.
