Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer is defending his actions over a free Australian trip and accepting Rugby World Cup tickets from SkyCity.
In the wake of a report on spending by the Mayor Len Brown, Mr Brewer has admitted he did not lodge a full annual statement for the trip as required by council rules.
Brewer said he emailed the council's electoral and public information officer, Bruce Thomas, about travel and accomodation in a Port Douglas hotel, paid for by Mediaworks, and about corporate box tickets to the Rugby World Cup opener paid for by SkyCity.
Bruce Thomas has confirmed that while Mr Brewer did not file a full Register of Members' Interests statement by 30 June 2012, the trip was in fact declared at the time and was in the council's gift register.
Brewer said councillors have been poorly advised about the rules and he hopes the code of conduct rules on declaring gifts and interests is cleared up. He stands by his apology and has made a donation to the City Mission.
Council confirms Brewer's trip in gift register all along! Cr declared junket wih Electoral Officer back in Sept 2011 http://t.co/a6mjGQ4lIk
— Cameron Brewer (@brewercameron) December 22, 2013
