Behind Closed Doors, New Plymouth Ex-Mayor Lands Top Water Job

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the outgoing New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom being appointed chief executive of the council’s new Water Services Council Controlled Organisation, the day before local election voting closed.

Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Rhys Hurley said:

“This fails every test of transparency and fairness. Ratepayers will rightly be asking how the sitting mayor ended up in a lucrative new job through a process hidden from public view.”

“Even if Mr Holdom is qualified, this is just another example of why ratepayers are losing faith in local government."

"When the former mayor steps straight into a top executive role with a council-controlled organisation, it looks like the chief executive is giving jobs to his mates."

"The fact councillors were blindsided and the meeting was held in secret the day before polls closed only makes things worse."

"Ratepayers deserve accountability, not political insiders slipping into cushy ratepayer-funded roles on their way out the door.”