Double farewell on Waitemata Health Board

Andiamo Restaurant in Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. Photo / Doug Sherring

The Waitemata District Health Board gave two farewell dinners for its departing communications manager in 2008 at a total cost of $1547.

First up was an executive team farewell dinner for the manager at Andiamo Restaurant in Auckland City's Herne Bay - where main courses now range from $26.50 to $39 - at a cost to taxpayers of $550.

This was followed six days later by a board farewell dinner at Bowman's Restaurant in Mt Eden costing $997.

The spending by board chief executive Dave Davies is revealed in figures on district health boards' chief executive credit card use and reimbursed expenses, made public yesterday by the DHBs' association.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said he was concerned by some of the hospitality spending and he expected to see a change in behaviour. Regular public reporting of the spending by the 20 DHB chiefs would help to achieve this.

"... they need to be reflecting the tougher economic times in how they are managing their organisations."

The figures, broadly, cover the last two financial years.

In a statement released to the Herald last night, Mr Davies said paying for dinners was "a rare event, and is no longer acceptable practice".

"Following the appointment of a new chair last year, the board have set clear guidelines on what hospitality we can fund. We are fully aware that we are spending public money and are committed to keeping this type of expenditure to the minimum," he said.

Of the three Auckland DHB chiefs, Mr Davies spent the least, at $6595. Geraint Martin, of Counties Manukau, spent $8800, and Garry Smith, of Auckland DHB, who does not have a board credit card, $8479.

The largest single bill was Mr Smith's spending of $1883 for an executive team Christmas function in 2008 for 25 people at La Vista Cafe & Restaurant in St Heliers.