South Wairarapa District Council has adopted its 2023-24 Annual Report, slightly later than the statutory deadline of 31 October. The adoption was delayed due to unforeseen resourcing limitations and increased workloads within Audit New Zealand, who took responsibility for the delay.

Despite the delay, the Annual Report’s financial statements received an unqualified audit opinion from Audit New Zealand, affirming that the council’s financial management was in order and in compliance with all relevant standards. However, there was one qualification regarding a technicality in the council’s road smoothness performance measure.

The qualification was not related to the financial health of the council but rather how the council evidenced the mandatory road smoothness measure. Audit New Zealand acknowledged this issue as a minor procedural matter and confirmed that it did not impact the overall integrity of the council’s financial reporting.

“The delay in adopting the Annual Report was unfortunate, but we appreciate Audit New Zealand’s transparency and understanding of the challenges they faced with resourcing constraints,” said Council Chief Executive Janice Smith. “We are pleased that the financial statements received an unqualified audit opinion and that the qualification on road smoothness is a minor issue that we can look to address.”

“Council staff are already working with our roading partners on strengthening their systems for reporting on performance measures to ensure that any similar issues do not arise in the future.”

The 2023-24 Annual Report will be published within 30 days and will be available for public viewing on our website and at our offices in Martinborough.

ENDS

Media contact
Email  media@swdc.govt.nz