Two Waikato regional councillors and chief executive Chris McLay attended the recent Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in Christchurch.
Chris McLay
The council was a member of LGNZ at the time of the conference because even though they had voted to leave the organisation, there was a notice of motion signed by a majority of councillors proposing to revoke the decision.
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 to attend the conference 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.
Rhys Hurley
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.”
