Auckland Mayor Len Brown's chief policy and political adviser, James Bews-Hair, has been charged with careless driving and drink driving following an incident last month.
Bews-Hair was driving from a work Christmas party to his daughter's birthday party on December 11 when he crashed into a parked car on Upland Rd, Remuera, a source told the Herald.
Following the accident, Mr Bews-Hair, who lives in Remuera, entered rehabilitation and joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to address problems with alcohol.
He will appear in the Auckland District Court on the charges next month.
The Herald asked the mayor's office about the incident and what it meant for Bews-Hair's current and future employment.