Auckland Mayor’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Financial Scrutiny

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown‘s chief of staff, Jaswant Singh, has stepped aside from his position following revelations about his financial dealings. Singh, who also goes by the name Jazz Singh, failed to disclose that his property company, Traxx Investments, was in liquidation, with outstanding debts of $560,000 owed to Inland Revenue.

The decision for Singh to resign came after an internal review conducted by Auckland Council. Chief Executive Phil Wilson confirmed the resignation on October 24, 2023, stating that while appropriate declarations were made, Singh should have informed the mayor and himself about the liquidation of his company.

Wilson remarked, “Stepping aside from the Chief of Staff role will prevent any further distractions for this office, which is focused on the important last three months of this electoral term.” He acknowledged Singh’s contributions over his 14 years with Auckland Council, highlighting his leadership and work on significant projects, including the establishment of the Auckland Future Fund.

In light of the situation, Singh has transitioned to a new role within Auckland Council as the project lead for executive projects in the chief executive’s office. The council has appointed Tamsyn Matchett as the acting chief of staff for the mayor.

Brown expressed his disappointment over Singh’s departure but recognized the necessity of the decision. He stated, “Jazz has been an extremely effective chief of staff who has offered good counsel and provided strong leadership in our office.”

The resignation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public service roles, particularly as the council approaches the conclusion of its electoral term. RNZ has sought comments from Singh regarding his departure, but no response has been received at this time.