The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has revealed that the Whangarei Arts Museum Trust spent $91,168 – including business class flights to Dubai – for 11 people to visit
Vienna and see a Hundertwasser painting.
Taxpayers’ Union researcher Tabitha Lorck says “In total, Whangarei Art Museum Trust - a Council CCO - spent $71,308
flying 11 people return to Vienna via Auckland, and $19,860 was spent on accommodation.”
“Whangarei Council's purpose for the trip was to ‘gain an insight of what is involved in the realisation of a
Hundertwasser creation and construction, and to strengthen relationships with our partners abroad.’ If this was a simple
fact-finding mission why were 11 people required and why did they travel business class? Better to call it what it is, a
junket.”
“Councils should be focused on core services – like roads, water, and rubbish – not international art trips for 11
people. Whangarei ratepayers deserve better.”
The full official information response is available at www.taxpayers.org.nz/hundertwasser.