Christchurch City Council should look to trim the fat first before cutting key public services

Responding to reports that Christchurch City ratepayers are staring down an 18% rate rise or significant cuts to key services so the Council can pay down $2 billion in debt, Taxpayers’ Union Head of Campaigns, Callum Purves, said:

“As with many other councils across the country, Christchurch City Council’s excessive spending on nice-to-haves and poor budget management has led to the enormous hole they now find themselves in.

“Our 2023 Ratepayers’ Report revealed that the Council had nearly three times as many staff on its books as similarly sized Wellington City Council and paid more than 30% of them salaries over $100,000.

“Councils often like to fear monger by presenting the false choice of exorbitant rates hikes or cuts to essential services. Instead, Christchurch City Council should be looking to cut the waste, including back office personnel, management, communications and consultancy, or selling off assets."