Former Chamber boss appointed to local board as vote-rigging scandal deepens

PremiumUpdatedLane NicholsReporter & Desk Editor - Auckland·NZ Herald·27 Aug, 2026 05:46 AM4 mins to read‌ Former Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett has been appointed as an observer on the Manurewa Local Board amid a probe into allegations of electoral fraud.The former head of Auckland’s Chamber of Commerce has been appointed as an observer on the Manurewa Local Board amid a high-profile investigation into allegations of vote rigging and stolen ballots.

Auckland Council CEO Phil Wilson announced the unprecedented move last week and conceded some sitting members may have

Former Chamber boss appointed to local board as vote-rigging scandal deepens

Related reading

Elected board members may have cheated in election, council CEO concedes

Auckland Council refers local board member to SFO after allegations emerge in…

'Fist full of envelopes': Councillor appalled by voter fraud claims, police…

Manurewa Local Board member referred to Serious Fraud Office

'Anti-democratic loophole': Unelected people to be banned from voting on…

Councillors boycott Manurewa board over member linked to SFO complaint