Bay of Plenty, Indeed: Big Pay Packets While Ratepayers Foot the Bill
The Bay of Plenty continues to be a hotspot for high council salaries, according to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2025 Council CEO Rich List.
Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:
“The biggest pay packet in the Bay of Plenty came from Rotorua Lakes Council, spending a total remuneration of $695,961 on chief execs Andrew Moraes, Gina Rangi and Geoff Williams. Local ratepayers paid for the fourth highest in the country.”
“There must be something in the water, as residents in Tauranga footed the bill for the fifth-highest chief exec pay too, with Marty Grenfell paid some $623,658.”
“The Bay’s councils are some of the worst offenders when it comes to putting executive pay ahead of ratepayer needs."
"These salaries show that the spirit of public service isn't being reflected by council bosses. Perhaps it's time to revert the job title from 'CEO' to Town Clerk. That would reflect what the job is supposed to be about: service, not riches."
“It’s time to cut back on bureaucracy, not shift the cost to the public. Cap rates. Get back to basics.”
The full list can be found at RichList.co.nz.
| Council | Chief Executive | 2023-24 Renumeration | 2022-23 Renumeration | $ Change | % Change |
| Rotorua Lakes Council | Andrew Moraes/Gina Rangi/Geoff Williams | $695,961.00 | $416,031.00 | $279,930.00 | 67.29% |
| Tauranga City Council | Marty Grenfell | $623,658.00 | $551,135.00 | $72,523.00 | 13.16% |
| Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Fiona McTavish | $439,818.00 | $430,137.00 | $9,681.00 | 2.25% |
| Western Bay of Plenty District Council | John Holyoake | $401,705.00 | $390,041.00 | $11,664.00 | 2.99% |
| Whakatane District Council | Steven Perdia/Steph O’Sullivan | $337,242.44 | $329,651.21 | $7,591.23 | 2.30% |
| Opotiki District Council | Stace Lewer | $267,563.00 | $315,211.00 | -$47,648.00 | -15.12% |
| Carterton District Council | Geoff Hamilton | $229,138.00 | $228,800.00 | $338.00 | 0.15% |
| 2023-24 Renumeration | 2022-23 Renumeration | $ Change | % Change | ||
| Total: | $2,995,085.44 | $2,661,006.21 | $334,079.23 | 12.55% | |
| Average: | $427,869.35 | $380,143.74 | $47,725.60 | 12.55% |