Auckland Council chief executive Stephen Town and other senior council bosses were treated to about $8600 of free tickets and hospitality during the recent Lions test matches at Eden Park.
Town received two tickets worth about $600 to each of the two test matches in Auckland courtesy of New Zealand Rugby and the Eden Park Trust Board.
He was joined at the third and final test on July 8 by his executive officer Michael Quinn, who also received two tickets, according to figures obtained by the Herald under the Official Information Act.
Most council-controlled organisation bosses accepted freebies to the highly anticipated series, including Auckland Transport chief executive David Warburton, Panuku Development Auckland chief executive Roger MacDonald, Regional Facilities Auckland chief executive Chris Brooks and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) chief executive Brett O'Riley.
As part of an investment agreement with New Zealand Rugby, Ateed also had tickets for the two tests at Eden Park, one of which went to facilities boss Chris Brooks at the first test on June 24.
All up 25 council staff have declared tickets and hospitality to one or both tests at Eden Park with a total value of about $8600.
Watercare chief executive Raveen Jaduram emailed all staff on April 18, saying no one could accept hosting to any Lions matches.
The ruling, he said, recognised Watercare's public ownership and to preserve public confidence in its commercial dealings.
Jaduram made an exception for two staff to attend the Lions matches against the Blues on June 7 as guests of Todd Property. The hospitality was valued at $284.90.
Town said from 11,000 council staff, 12 senior staff attended each of the two Lions games in Auckland.
He said staff have to think very carefully before accepting gifts or hospitality and adhere to the council's gifts and hospitality policy.
Council staff can only accept gifts or hospitality where there is a clear business benefit to the council. The council also has a list of gifts deemed unacceptable, including money, gift vouchers, shares and from outside companies during contract and tendering processes.
Town said any gift or hospitality has to be approved by a line manager and the request has to be recorded on the council's gift register, which is managed by the council's integrity team to ensure transparency.
"It is my expectation that staff and their line managers only consider an invitation if it strictly adheres to the council's gifts and hospitality policy. It should be noted that all costs were met by the third parties and no costs were incurred by Auckland ratepayers," he said.
Details of councillors' tickets and hospitality during the Lions series and other declarations of gifts for the year ending July are due to made public shortly.
Who took what
Auckland Council
Chief executive Stephen Town, executive officer Michael Quinn and chief operating officer Dean Kimpton and four other staff were guests of NZ Rugby, Eden Park Trust Board, Harrison Grierson, Counties Manukau Rugby, Datacom, ASB, Westpac, Hays Recruitment.
Estimated value: $2000
Auckland Transport
Chief executive David Warburton and four other staff were guests of Eden Park Trust Board, Turner & Townsend, Harrison Grierson and Fulton Hogan.
Estimated value: $1300
Ateed
Chief executive Brett O'Riley and two other staff were guests of NZ Rugby and an unnamed tech investment company.
Estimated value: $650
Panuku Development Auckland
Chief executive Roger MacDonald, development director Allan Young and four other staff were guests of AV Jennings, Bayleys, Tattico Ltd, Dempsey Wood, Network Visuals.
Estimated value: $2290
Regional Facilities Auckland
Chief executive Chris Brooks, Auckland Live director Robbie Macrae and two other staff were guests of Ticketmaster, Auckland Rugby, Ateed, Phillips.
Estimated value: $2355
Watercare
Two staff were guests of Todd Property at the Lions v Blues match.
Value: $248.90.
*Council and CCOs provided the names of all executive staff to receive tickets/hospitality but not all staff, citing privacy reasons.