LGOIMA PROVIDES SHOCK AUCKLAND COUNCIL EXCESSES
The Auckland Ratepayers Alliance has provided Mayoral candidate Craig Lord with a fascinating view of Council operations
after sharing an OIA that requested the ‘essential’ staff numbers during the COVID lockdowns.
Under normal circumstances, Auckland Council employees 6470 full-time staff, but during the COVID period, it was able to
operate with a skeleton staff of 956
Mayoral candidate, Craig Lord says this is proof that Council is a bloated organisation.
“I fully appreciate that we would struggle to operate like that permanently, and the list of 956 would be missing
specific roles like lifeguards at the swimming pools, but generally speaking, what it does show is we don’t require
6470.”
Lord knows there will be Council employees uncomfortable with the staffing conversation, but in all fairness to the
ratepayer, it is a topic that needs serious addressing.
“There are two areas where Council is haemorrhaging funds, the contractor system and wages. I know I won’t get the vote
of anyone under direct scrutiny or in the firing line to lose their job, but I have to make a stand for all of Auckland.
We need full audits of every Council department, I’ve always had it as a policy, and now thanks to the LGOIMA from ARA,
the policy has even more merit.”
Lord has perused the list of essential services and was intrigued by many job titles, making him even more determined.
“You do need to question many of the positions, and it’s not going to be easy to sift through it all. No sane business
operator would allow various departments of their own company to create unique roles as they see fit. However, it does
seem as though Auckland Council does.”
“I’ve been saying for a long time that we need to reduce middle and upper management levels and increase the frontline
staff. Council is a service industry, and sadly it’s become a cosy employment opportunity. I will work hard with the
executive and HR teams to make the changes that the ratepayer deserves.”