Council costs revealed

15 Aug 2025 • By Chris Gardner and Mary Anne Gill

* Clarifying – Waikato Regional Council was a member of LGNZ at the time of the conference and to the end of July, as the council had a notice of motion signed by a majority of councillors proposing a revocation of the decision made in the June meeting and a replacement motion that Waikato Regional Council remain a member of LGNZ.

*The annual cost of Waikato Regional Council’s subscription is $80,375.55, not $122,000.

14 August 2025 1pm

Two Waikato regional councillors and chief executive Chris McLay attended the recent Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in Christchurch—even though the council was not a member at the time.

Chris McLay

Councillors Robbie Cookson and Warren Maher were also scheduled to attend but withdrew. However, because their tickets were non-refundable, the council still had to pay $3300 for their unused spots.

The bookings were made following a council decision in March, three months before councillors voted to leave LGNZ. In total, the conference cost the council $12,084.89, covering attendance by Angela Strange, Tipa Mahuta, and McLay.

This month, the council voted to rejoin LGNZ – on the casting vote of chair Pamela Storey.

Taxpayers’ Union investigations coordinator Rhys Hurley criticised the spending, calling it “outrageous.”

“If councillors make the right call and walk away from LGNZ, they shouldn’t send ratepayers the bill for one last junket,” Hurley said.

“LGNZ has shown time and time again it doesn’t have the best interests of councils at heart. Waikato should have stuck to their original decision and stayed well away from the failing organisation.”

14 August 2025 5am
Four councils covered by Good Local Media’s community newspaper network spent nearly $56,500 travelling to the Local Government New Zealand conference in Christchurch last month.

Ōtorohanga, Waipā, Waikato and Waitomo district councils sent 23 elected members and staff including two people who are stepping down from council – Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter and his deputy Annette Williams.

Max Baxter, left, and Annette Williams swansong at Local Government New Zealand conference.

The conference was held over two days – July 16 and 17 – and there was a welcome on the Tuesday night before the conference started and an awards dinner on Thursday night.

Jacqui Church

Waikato spent the most – $18,292 sending eight people – including five elected members. Mayor Jacqui Church, deputy mayor Carolyn Eyre, councillors Eugene Patterson, Lisa Thomas and Tilly Turner. Thomas and Turner attended the Te Mariata Hui held prior to the main conference.

Three staff members from the Maaori Partnerships team attended to “strategically network with councils across Aotearoa and build the profile of Waikato District Council, strengthen their understanding of the machinery of local government, and learn about new models of delivery to better connect with our communities,” the council’s Official Information officer said.

Ōtorohanga spent nearly $17,540 sending five people – including chief executive Tanya Winter, Baxter, Williams, and councillors Katrina Christison and Jaimee Tamaki.

Carolyn Eyre

Baxter and Williams did not respond to requests for comment but sources say they spoke at the conference about the importance of local voices in decision making.

Northern neighbour Waipā spent $17,900 in airfares, expenses and accommodation for mayor Susan O’Regan, councillors Dale-Maree Morgan and Marcus Gower, chief executive Steph O’Sullivan, group manager Strategy Kirsty Downey, project lead Vanessa Honore and mana whenua representatives Gaylene Roberts and Poto Davies.

Award presentation: Ngā Iwi Toopu o Waipā’s Maria Huata (Kirikiriroa Kaunihera), Waipā Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan, principal strategic planner Vanessa Honore, group manager Strategy Kirsty Downey, mana whenua representatives Poto Davies and Gaylene Rob-erts, Te Awamutu-Kihikihi councillor Marcus Gower, Beca communica-tions advisor Regan Powell. Photo: Mark Tantrum

Waitomo chief executive Ben Smit and mayor John Robertson attended it all at a cost of $1587 each in conference registrations, $640 each in airfares and $516 each in hotel fees. It also covered taxi fares and airport parking.

Waikato Regional Council voted to walk away from LGNZ’s $122,000 annual bill citing its lack of relevance and left wing activism but rejoined after the conference when chair Pamela Storey used her casting vote.