No investigation into V8 report claims

V8 supercars will be moving from Hamilton back to Auckland. Photo / NZPA File

The Auditor-General will not investigate into complaints that a secret report on the V8 supercars was kept from the council by its standalone subsidiary.

Last month, Councillors were asked to approve $10.6 million to ensure the return of the supercars to Pukekohe, but the Office of the Auditor-General said it was a decision that had already been made by the Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development.

"We discovered there were some confusion about what decision the committee was actually asked to make," the office said.

"Ateed was simply intending to brief the council on a decision it had already taken. The decision to proceed with the contract was within Ateed's mandate and delegated authority."

Ateed had been negotiating with V8 supercars since last November and had briefed councillors twice, but didn't make it clear in its briefing papers that it was referring the matter to the council only as part of its "no surprises" approach.

"The paper gave the impression that the council committee was being asked to make a decision on whether to proceed."

Ateed's decision was found to be consistent with the overall major events strategy which was approved by the council's strategy and finance committee in May last year.

Councillors had complained that they have not been able to see a detailed risk review by Ateed because council chief executive Doug McKay said it did not exist as a single document but as a "multi-faceted" review.

The office said all councillors had since been given the opportunity to review the full report, except for the confidential content.

"We have concluded that no further investigation of this issue is warranted."

Editor's note: The original version of this story carried an incorrect quote attributed to Ateed chief executive Brett O'Riley. The comment was reported in error and has been removed from the story.