Palmerston North Mayor Must Explain $10K LGOIMA Cost

The Taxpayers’ Union is demanding that Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith explain how the Council spent $10,000 of ratepayer money in responding to an official information request for his credit card spending.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Josh Van Veen, said:

“Councillor Hayden Fitzgerald has done Palmerston North ratepayers a service by forcing Mayor Smith to release the details of his credit card spending.”

“While residential rates have gone up 25 percent under Mayor Smith, he has been busy racking up thousands of dollars on flights, accommodation and hospitality – including $1,000 per month on booze.”

“But the real outrage is the $10,000 that Palmerston North City spent on compiling Councillor Fitzgerald’s request. The ratepayers are owed both an explanation and a full breakdown of this cost."