Top staffer ticked off for being with Banks

John Banks. Photo / NZ Herald

Auckland City Mayor John Banks' chief of staff, Dr Stephen Rainbow, has got a ticking off for his involvement in Mr Banks' Super City mayoral campaign.

Dr Rainbow has frequently been at Mr Banks' side during the campaign, despite strict protocols issued by the council and the State Services Commissioner stressing the need for political neutrality.

Last night, council chief executive David Rankin said Dr Rainbow had attended some campaign-related activities.

While he had been advised by Dr Rainbow that he took no active role, his attendance could create a "reasonable perception" of campaigning, he said.

"I have drawn it to his attention that the protocols are about perception as well as the reality of people's behaviour, and he needs to take more care," he said.

Mr Rankin said Dr Rainbow had not followed a council protocol which stated that any mayoral staff member wishing to undertake campaign or associated activities outside work time must apply in writing to his or her manager for permission .

The protocols also say that to the extent possible, mayoral staff will not undertake any campaign or associated activities during work time.

Protocols issued by the State Services Commissioner said employees must maintain political neutrality and "the use of council resources (which includes staff time) for re-election purposes is unacceptable and possibly unlawful".

Dr Rainbow could not be reached for comment.

This is the second warning he has received from Mr Rankin, who also advised him of the protocols after he appeared in last December's Metro magazine photographed as part of Mr Banks' Super City mayoral campaign team and was quoted in the corresponding article.

Dr Rainbow, who is gay and has a green background, has been credited with helping to soften Mr Banks' image and broaden his appeal this term.

He is not the first Banks' staffer to hit the headlines on the campaign trail.

In the 2004 elections, Mr Banks' personal assistant, Trish Wanden, had a shouting match and pointed her finger at mayoral candidate Dick Hubbard at a public meeting.

On that occasion, the chief executive at the time, Bryan Taylor, said she was attending in a private capacity.