Heart of the City boss Viv Beck has been stood down from her role, the Herald understands.

In a statement today, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said Heart of the City (HOTC) received significant funding through a targeted rate and it was up to the group’s board to advise “on the employment status of Ms Beck, including if there has been a change to her status”.

Beck has headed the business association for 10 years.

The Herald has sought a statement from HOTC about the status of Beck but is yet to receive a response.

Beck has also been approached for comment.

On Saturday, The Post reported that Beck had “departed” HOTC.

However the story was amended after HOTC’s executive committee issued a statement by email saying this was “factually incorrect”.

“It is disappointing to see unsubstantiated conjecture reported as fact,” the statement said.

“The whole executive committee wishes to make it clear to members that Viv Beck remains CEO of Heart of the City.”

However, the Herald understands that Beck has been stood down from her role.

In his statement, Brown said: “The Heart of the City plays an important role in the city and receives significant funding through a targeted rate paid by businesses.

“It is entirely up to the board to advise anybody on the employment status of Ms Beck, including if there has been a change to her status.

“The mayor and his office are focused on maintaining a positive and productive relationship with its board. We expect the board to continue to communicate regularly with us and operate in line with the BID [Business Improvement District] policy.”

Brown said further questions about the organisation should be directed to HOTC.

Beck has ruffled features due to concerns she had been too negative about the state of the central city while lobbying for action to address homelessness.

It’s also understood there have been tensions between her and some members of the executive committee.

HOTC’s websites describes itself as the business association for Auckland’s city centre.

“We promote businesses and the heart of the city as a destination. We exist to champion a successful city centre for business and create an aspirational and vibrant destination to live, work, study and visit for all.”

More to come ...

Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.