Photo: RNZ
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's chief of staff, Jaswant Singh, has left the mayor's office after failing to declare that a property company he owned was in liquidation owing $560,000 to Inland Revenue.
Singh, also known as Jazz Singh, had been on leave as the council investigated the insolvency of Traxx Investments, which lists Singh as the company's sole director.
Auckland Council Chief Executive Phil Wilson confirmed Tuesday that Singh had stepped aside after a review had been completed.
"I have looked into the matters raised last week in relation to Singh's business interests and have found that appropriate declarations were made and there is no evidence of impropriety, or conflicts with his work responsibilities," Wilson said in a statement.
"However, we (he and I) have agreed that he will step aside from his role in the Office of the Mayor."
Effective yesterday, Singh moved to another role within Auckland Council, the chief executive confirmed.
He had been named project lead of executive projects in the chief executive's office, a spokesperson Auckland Council's communications department said.
Tamsyn Matchett had been appointed acting chief of staff for the mayor, he said.
Wilson said Singh should have raised the potential liquidation of his company with Brown and himself.
"Stepping aside from the Chief of Staff role will prevent any further distractions for this office, which is focussed on the important last three months of this electoral term," Wilson said.
"Jazz has worked for Auckland Council for 14 years and, including during his time in the Office of the Mayor, has delivered some important work for our organisation and for Auckland," he said.
"For the sake of continuity on some aspects of that work, and for the time being, I will be asking him to continue with project work from my office."
Brown commended Singh for his work in the mayor's office.
"Jazz has been an extremely effective chief of staff who has offered good counsel and provided strong leadership in our office. In particular, his work on establishing the Auckland Future Fund deserves a mention," Brown said.
"It is therefore disappointing to see this situation require him to step aside, however I acknowledge that it is the right thing to do under the circumstances."
RNZ has approached Singh for comment.
