LATEST: Hotel and casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group is keeping mum on the precise reasons behind the departure of one of its key executives.

The dual-listed company today confirmed chief operating officer Stuart Wing had resigned. Wing and his family had chosen to return to Australia after 18 months ''for personal reasons'' its communications team said.

He had planned to take leave in May so SkyCity agreed his resignation would take effect immediately.

The departure comes during tumultuous public debate about SkyCity's controversial talks with the government to build a $350 million national convention centre in Auckland in exchange for gambling concessions.

One industry analyst who asked not be identified didn't believe there was a connection between the convention centre debate and Wing's resignation.

''I wouldn't have a clue if there's any link to the convention centre but I'd be surprised if there was.''

A request for an interview with chief executive officer Nigel Morrison was declined.

''It's not appropriate for him to comment on personal circumstances,'' a SkyCity spokesman said.

Jeremy Simpson, director of research at Forsyth Barr, believed the company's management structure remained strong.

''I think he (Stuart) has been good; we have seen the Auckland property start to perform well over his tenure,'' Simpson said.

''He's got a lot of gaming expertise but the good thing with SkyCity now compared to say five years ago is it has a lot of experience at the senior management levels.''

When Morrison took the reins, there was no one with gaming expertise on the top table.

''He's built up an experienced team. He [Wing] is a senior guy (to lose) but they have got a lot of gaming expertise in the house these days.''

Wing had had a significant impact on the performance of the Auckland business since he joined SkyCity early last year, SkyCity said in a statement.

''SkyCity is very confident that the positive business momentum will continue to the end of this financial year and beyond,'' it said.

- © Fairfax NZ News