Council party after rates hike fails any sniff test

"Given the latest rates increases have been so controversial and so significant for many Auckland households, the Mayor and management should’ve dropped any idea of a celebratory drinks party in the Aotea Centre before it was even first mooted,” says Auckland Councillor for Orakei, Cameron Brewer.

"Yes the finance staff have worked really hard over many months. But the reality is in the public sector you've got to tread that much more carefully particularly when the paying public is about to be stung a lot more.

"The council spin-doctors trying to defend this need to pull their heads out of the sand and reflect on how the likes of shareholders viewed their finance companies partying seven or eight years ago.

“I'm all for some fun but this is about judgement and appropriateness. I cant believe this passed the sniff test by the Mayor and management particularly given the serious potential finance and constitutional issues council was facing this week, let alone the hefty rates increases that were passed.

"Yes staff have worked so hard on the 10 year budget and the lack of political leadership has caused them a lot of stress in the past few days. However the difference with the public sector is that sometimes a boring old morning tea is the best call. It's not quite up with the private sector profit and acquisition parties, but it needs to be appropriate.

“Sadly, this example of very poor judgement again only adds another nail in this Mayor and council’s credibility,” says Mr Brewer.

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