Invercargill City Council boss returns to work after mysterious absence

• Invercargill City Council chief executive Michael Day returned after an unexplained four-week absence.
• The council held secret meetings about a letter, but details remain undisclosed due to privacy laws.
• Trudie Hurst acted as chief executive during Day’s absence, with discussions involving appointing an investigator.

Invercargill City Council’s chief executive returned to work on Monday following an unexplained absence lasting almost four weeks.

Michael Day has been on leave since March 18, but the organisation has remained tight-lipped about why the top official was away from his desk.

A recent Stuff article pointed out that he hadn’t been at work since a secret meeting was held at the council about a letter it received.

Michael Day has been chief executive of the council since February 2023.

Discussions about the letter also took place behind closed doors 11 days before, on March 7.

In response to questions, a council spokesperson said Day was entitled to request leave and have his reasons kept private, the same as any staff member. The council also refused to comment on the publicly excluded March meetings regarding the letter.

“The meetings involved matters that are protected by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, regarding personal privacy, protecting staff and elected members from improper pressure or harassment, and to maintain legal privilege,” a spokesperson said.

A publicly excluded risk and assurance committee meeting held on March 24 included the topic of appointing an investigator, which the Otago Daily Times understands relates to the letter.

At the March 18 meeting, Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark stepped aside as chairman due to having an interest, meaning Invercargill Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell filled in. Clark was an apology at the March 7 meeting due to council business.

Both the March 7 and March 18 meetings were attended by independent risk and assurance committee chairman Ross Jackson, as well as lawyer Mary-Jane Thomas.

Day was appointed to the job of chief executive in February 2023 after previously holding the position of council group manager finance and assurance.

Council community engagement and corporate services manager Trudie Hurst was acting chief executive in his absence.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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