Travel
To deliver the best outcomes possible on behalf of Auckland and its people, our kaimahi (staff) are periodically required to travel – both domestically and offshore. Travel is based on approved business cases.
Internationally, this includes being part of trade delegations, attending global conferences or trade shows to grow connections, presenting bids for major sporting or business events, and securing investment and deals for Auckland’s key growth industry sectors. Kaimahi at our cultural organisations including Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland Zoo, and New Zealand Maritime Museum are sometimes required to go to important conferences or carry out work in their specialist fields.
Staff also occasionally travel domestically, mainly for national industry conferences or crucial policy meetings with government agency partners.
Staff travel is approved by people leaders. Executive team members’ travel is approved by the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive’s travel is approved by our board Chair. To ensure we secure the best price for bookings, international travel is normally booked either via Auckland Council’s Travel Coordinator or directly with partners. The costs listed are in the categories of airfares, accommodation and ‘other’ (which includes disbursements and expenses such as taxis, parking and meals for staff) while traveling.
Entertainment
Our staff periodically incur ‘entertainment’ costs, which can be generally categorised as business-related non-travel expenses including meals and beverages paid for while representing our organisation at meetings or events – building relationships with business contacts and other stakeholders.
As with all types of sensitive expenditure, staff are expected to be prudent when spending public funds on business-related ‘entertainment’. The spending must be approved by line managers. Any claims by our Chief Executive are approved by our board Chair. In line with organisation policy, expenses are paid for and attributed to the most senior staff representative attending an event or meeting.
Gifts
In accordance with our corporate policies, kaimahi may only accept gifts when there is a justifiable business purpose. They are required to declare all gifts, which are then published quarterly on our gift register.
The register names only senior managers; all other staff are referred to by position title only. Some gifts are provided to groups rather than individuals. Where appropriate, these gifts are consolidated and a total value shown, along with the number of staff included. Where a gift is offered to Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, rather than a specific staff member, this has been indicated.