Goff reveals his role in Joseph Parker heavyweight title fight

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff told media today he let council's events arm Ateed know that unless a business case justified an investment by the ratepayer "then it ought not to happen". Photo / Nick Reed

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has revealed his role in scuppering ratepayer funding for the Joseph Parker heavyweight title fight.

Goff told media today that he let the council's events arm Ateed know that unless there was a business case justifying an investment by the ratepayer "then it ought not to happen".

"In the end there wasn't such a business case that would justify the expenditure of ratepayer money," said Goff, who met with Ateed on two occasions before it made the decision to withdrew support for the fight.

"I carried out my responsibility as the elected representative of the people of Auckland to ensure their ratepayer money is spent properly," said Goff, a boxing fan who attended the last two Parker fights.

Last Sunday, Ateed Chief Executive Brett O'Riley confirmed the council body would not be providing financial sponsorship to Duco to stage the Joseph Parker v Andy Ruiz fight in Auckland on December 10.

O'Riley had earlier said Ateed definitely intended to be a major partner and "contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars" in cash and services.

"While there is clear potential to generate international exposure if the fight is held in Auckland, we are unable to make a robust assessment of the potential of this event until the fight is confirmed to take place here and domestic and international television rights are secured," O'Riley said last Sunday.

Goff highlighted the Parker fight and a pause on extending Queens Wharf out to a berthing dolphin for large cruise ships as two examples of keeping council-controlled organisations(CCOs) like Ateed on a short leash.

This followed a 19-2 vote at today's governing body meeting in favour of a paper he presented to strengthen scrutiny of CCOs.

He has overwhelming support for a proposal not to appoint councillor directors to the board of Auckland Transport, but allow them to compete with private sector directors for three spare seats on the board.

"I don't want two out of eight directors to be accountable back to the council. I want eight out of eight directors to be accountable," Goff said.

Mike Lee, who with councillor Chris Fletcher has been on the board for the past six years, was puzzled at the way Goff was going about getting more accountability by reducing political accountability.

"It would be a great tragedy for the people of Auckland that the last element of democratic control over Auckland Transport is snuffed out," Lee said.

Among the new measures to strengthen control of CCOs are new governance rules for Auckland Transport, clearer statements of intent and letters of expectations from council, greater scrutiny by council committees and a review of accountability policies.