Declaring conflicts of interest is important
QUEENSTOWN Lakes Mayor Jim Boult has had a formal complaint laid against him, alleging he has failed to declare his conflicts of interest (ODT, 17.9.19).
Mr Boult is the chairman of Wayfare Group, the largest tourist activity business in Queenstown.
In the minutes of the seven full council meetings held since December 2018, there have been seven instances where councillors have declared conflicts of interest, often for what appear to be trivial situations.
Mr Boult says ‘‘in all substantive matters regarding any of the companies in the group I have always declared an interest’’.
During this period, the council has made decisions regarding the visitor levy and airports. Wayfare is an activity provider and is excluded from the visitor levy tax net. Wayfare has expansion plans and will be a direct beneficiary of any increase in airport passenger arrivals.
The mayor did not declare any conflicts of interest. He clearly holds the councillors to a higher standard for declaring conflicts than he does for himself.
Peter Sutherland
Wanaka
[Jim Boult replies (abridged): ‘‘Firstly, it is not for any person to determine another’s conflict of interest; rather, it is for individuals to determine for themselves whether they have a conflict of interest. A pecuniary interest is somewhat different and relates to direct financial interest. Comparisons between my action and the decisions of other councillors to declare conflicts of interest on a wide variety of topics are both meaningless and wrong.
‘‘Secondly, a conflict of interest needs to really be concerned as to whether a councillor can debate a matter with an open mind, given that all councillors are elected to have views, be informed, have debate and make decisions. The fact that I have a deep knowledge of the tourism industry is not a conflict. In most circles, it has been seen as a distinct advantage and has clearly assisted me to argue the case for the district for additional funding with government.
‘‘I have demonstrated I have been open to a range of solutions; our initial business case sought a grant from the Government. I also lobbied for a share of GST to be returned to council but this was rejected. The Government itself expected its officials and council to consider a range of mechanisms but the advice received from officials including tax experts, and now accepted by cabinet, was that an accommodation-based levy was the best and most efficient option.
‘‘My participation in that debate and my lobbying to give the district this unique opportunity is not a conflict of interest and I am entirely comfortable with my role.
‘‘In relation to any confusion regarding Real Journeys/Wayfare Group, this is simply not an issue. Wayfare is a new holding company owning the same assets as Real Journeys previously did. My interest in both was disclosed openly.’’]