Canterbury Council Chiefs Paid a Pretty Penny While Basic Services Suffer
According to the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2025 CEO Rich List, Canterbury councils continue to pay some of the country’s highest salaries to their Chief Executives even while services decline.
Local Government Campaigns Manager, Sam Warren, said:
“Christchurch City Council was the biggest spender not just in Canterbury but across the whole country, spending a total of $1,027,696 on the combined remuneration of Mary Richardson and Dawn Baxdendale.”
“Canterbury residents also footed the bill for the highest-paid regional council too, with Environment Canterbury dishing out nearly half a million dollars to Dr Stefanie Rixecker.”
“Canterbury households are facing record rates, yet somehow councils always find room in the budget for another executive pay rise.”
"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."
“Councils need to stop pleading poverty while their CEOs rake in huge salaries. Cap rates. Prioritise ratepayers.”
The full list can be found at RichList.co.nz.
| Council | Chief Executive | 2023-24 Renumeration | 2022-23 Renumeration | $ Change | % Change |
| Ashburton District Council | Hamish Riach | $369,000.00 | $356,000.00 | $13,000.00 | 3.65% |
| Christchurch City Council | Mary Richardson/Dawn Baxdendale | $1,027,696.00 | $543,943.00 | $483,753.00 | 88.93% |
| Environment Canterbury Regional Council | Dr Stefanie Rixecker | $479,206.00 | $438,416.00 | $40,790.00 | 9.30% |
| Hurunui District Council | Hamish Dobbie | $338,749.00 | $300,314.00 | $38,435.00 | 12.80% |
| Kaikoura District Council | Will Doughty | $259,809.00 | $246,846.00 | $12,963.00 | 5.25% |
| Mackenzie District Council | Angela Oosthuizen | $266,000.00 | $249,000.00 | $17,000.00 | 6.83% |
| Selwyn District Council | Sharon Mason | $315,333.00 | $435,847.00 | -$120,514.00 | -27.65% |
| Timaru District Council | Nigel Trainor/Bede Carran | $501,549.00 | $423,225.00 | $78,324.00 | 18.51% |
| Waimakariri District Council | Jeff Millward | $371,920.00 | $472,445.00 | -$100,525.00 | -21.28% |
| Waimate District Council | Stuart Duncan | $277,000.00 | $265,000.00 | $12,000.00 | 4.53% |
| 2023-24 Renumeration | 2022-23 Renumeration | $ Change | % Change | ||
| Total: | $4,206,262.00 | $3,731,036.00 | $475,226.00 | 12.74% | |
| Average: | $420,626.20 | $373,103.60 | $47,522.60 | 12.74% |