Adviser's role 'no conflict'

Former National Party president Michelle Boag says there is no conflict of interest over her links to the set-up of the Auckland Supercity council.

Boag is an unpaid adviser to Supercity mayoral contender John Banks and also works for a recruiting company hiring 50 executives for the new council.

Labour's Auckland affairs spokesman Phil Twyford said it was an example of National Party members with their snouts in the trough.

"It's untenable to have Michelle Boag running John Banks' mayoral campaign at the same time as she's supposedly recruiting an independent public service to run the Auckland council."

Twyford called on Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) chairman Mark Ford to reassure Aucklanders the contract process was "straight up".

But Boag was adamant there was no conflict of interest. While she knew many major players at the ATA, she had nothing to do with Momentum's bid.

"It was a squeaky-clean process," she said. "A lot of people involved in the ATA I know very well. I purposely kept myself out of the tender process."

Boag's contacts at the agency include Ford, a former client. Board member John Waller and legal adviser Rob Fisher both serve with her on the Eden Park Trust Board.

"My networks are such that I had to be very careful about keeping me away from that tender process," she said.

"I can't help knowing the people that I know. I have very good relationships with a great number of people. The trouble for me is I'm a well-connected person."

Boag also played down her work for the Banks campaign. "I'm one of a large number of supporters and friends helping him. We just all do those bits that would use our skills."

Banks wouldn't clarify Boag's exact role, but said she had been a close friend for 30 years.

"She's not paid, she's a volunteer, there would be no conflict. She comes to the Town Hall from time to time and she might get a cup of tea and a wine biscuit. She's an honest and ethical person. I can't for the life of me see where there's a conflict."

An ATA spokesman said Momentum put in the best proposal "in terms of quality, process and lowest cost structure". The 50 roles include about 20 management positions in the unelected council-controlled organisations.

Boag was National Party president from 2001 to 2002 and a key figure in recruiting Prime Minister John Key to the National Party.

Former National Prime Minister Jenny Shipley is a director of Momentum PR.