A new investigation by a national taxpayer pressure group claims Waipā District Council is funding its own political communications’ machine to shape perception rather than deliver outcomes.
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union say a 63-page response from the council following a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (Lgoima) request reveals the council paid its 12-strong Communications and Engagement team nearly $800,000 on spin in nine months.
Read Taxpayers’ Union media release
Steph O’Sullivan
In response Waipā chief executive Steph O’Sullivan – who The News gave an embargoed copy of the Taxpayers’ Union statement to – said the council had 9.5 full time equivalent positions, not 12.
The council, which is a $2.8 billion business with a $150 million operating budget, welcomed public scrutiny and transparency especially when it came to how it spends ratepayers’ money, she said.
“It’s misleading to suggest this work is about ‘spin’. The external communications and engagement strategy adopted by the council in 2023 purposefully reset the way we inform and engage with our community to ensure we deliver on our vision of building connected communities, and that we continue to grow trust and confidence in council.”
Union investigations coordinator Rhys Hurley released the information to The News saying the council was not listening, just lecturing.
Rhys Hurley
“Internal documents show the council has issued 66 media releases in just four months, built a new communication strategy, new roles and toolkits for its public image while just 17 per cent of residents believe the council is acting in their best interests,” he said.
“Ratepayers aren’t asking for Facebook reels or branded tote bags, they want their bins emptied, roads fixed, and rates kept under control.
“This isn’t community engagement, it’s reputation management. Ratepayers are funding a political comms machine that’s more interested in shaping perception than delivering outcomes,” said Hurley.
Cambridge News 12 June 2025
“Spending $800,000 on spin in just nine months while pleading poverty is indefensible with an average rates rise of 14.8 per cent. If Waipā cared about their ratepayers, they’d start by cutting this comms circus.”
O’Sullivan said overall trust in the council grew from 19 percent to 21 per cent from 2023 to 2024, which indicated the council was making progress.
“But there is a long way to go and trust and confidence are only rebuilt with deliberate intention and action.”
The council had grown its digital audience by 40 per cent since July last year in response to a changing media landscape where daily newspapers were no longer able to serve their communities like they did in the past.
“It is an integrated approach to help ensure people get the right information, in the right way, at the right time.”
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union aims to scrutinise government spending and highlight public waste.
External Communication and Engagement Strategy
