Independent Member Value for Money Committee

Independent Member, Value for Money Committee

• Shape decisions behind Auckland's largest-ever savings programme
• High-profile, non-voting Independent Member role
• Flexible commitment, meetings every six weeks

He angitūtanga  |  The opportunity

Auckland Council Group is one of the largest and most complex local government organisations in Australasia, overseeing significant public assets and services for 1.7 million Aucklanders. We are appointing an Independent Member to the Value for Money Committee, a high-profile committee chaired by the Deputy Mayor and central to the council's financial discipline agenda.

The Committee is responsible for the council's operating savings target of $106 million for 2026/2027, larger than the total rates revenue of 54 other New Zealand councils combined. In 2025/2026 the council exceeded its $86 million savings target by $11.2 million, its best result outside the Covid-19 emergency response. This work directly affects how much Aucklanders pay in rates and sits at the centre of public and media scrutiny of council spending.

The Committee:

• Monitors the council group's progress towards achieving its savings targets
• Oversees Value for Money service reviews under section 17A of the Local Government Act 2002
• Reviews procurement and contract decisions
• Approves the acquisition and disposal of property
• Scrutinises operational and capital expenditure and looks for non-rates revenue and commercial opportunities.

The Independent Member is a non-voting member of the Committee, providing independent challenge and assurance to support sound, transparent decision making for Aucklanders. This is a statutory governance appointment, with meetings held approximately every six weeks.

Tō tātou rōpū  |  About us

Auckland Council is the largest local authority in Australasia, working on behalf of 1.7 million Aucklanders to deliver the services, infrastructure and investment that keep the region moving, growing and thriving, while ensuring ratepayer money is spent wisely.

He kōrero mōu  |  About you

You will bring:

• Experience finding efficiencies, savings, revenue and doing things differently to deliver value for money
• Senior governance, financial or commercial leadership experience in large, complex organisations
• Strong financial literacy, including experience overseeing budgets, procurement or major contracts
• Understanding of public sector accountability and value for money principles
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex financial, procurement and property information
• Ability to build productive relationships with elected members, council executives and CCOs, while maintaining independence
• Previous experience serving on boards, committees or similar governance bodies
• High level of integrity and independence of judgement

Also useful, though not essential:

• Experience in local government or public sector finance
• Professional qualification in finance, accounting, commerce or law
• Chartered Accountant or equivalent (CAANZ, CIMA, CIPFA)
• Experience with major capital programmes, procurement portfolios or property transactions

Tono mai  |  How to apply

Applications close 11.59pm 30 Septemer 2026: Interested applicants should submit an Expression of Interest with a current cover letter and CV outlining their relevant skills and experience. For a confidential conversation contact Rhonda Maxwell Talent Acquistion Partner Executive Search rhonda.maxwell@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Tō mātou aro ki te kanorau   Our commitment to diversity

We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and need people from all backgrounds and swaths of life to help build the future of Auckland. Our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving Auckland as a place to live. All of our employees' points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.

By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non-active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

If you do not consent to this information being provided, Council may be unable to properly assess your application and your application will not progress further. If you wish to withhold your consent, or to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at privacy@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.