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Auckland councillors challenged the need for confidentiality at a Planning Committee meeting on March 31.
The committee went into a confidential discussion on the new National Policy Statement on Urban Development, but not before Cr Wayne Walker contested it. The agenda stated confidentiality was needed for “legal professional privilege and preventing the disclosure of official information for improper advantage”.
Cr Walker said the information available in the confidential report was already known to the public.
“Availability of information for public interest far outweighs the level of confidentiality needed,” Walker said.
Cr John Watson echoed Walker and said the public needed to have access to more information.
“Wellington City and Christchurch City Councils are in open meetings dealing with the same national policy provisions,” Watson said.
Chief of strategy Megan Tyler said the information would be released in a couple weeks.
“The purpose of confidentiality is for you to have an open and frank discussion,” Tyler said.
Cr Daniel Newman said it was a matter of Council maintaining their legal advantage. Crs Watson and Walker both voted against the confidentiality motion.
