REVEALED: Manawatū's $5M Roadside Art Sees Motorists Pay the Price

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through an Official Information Act request that Waka Kotahi spent $5.05 million on mahi toi (cultural artworks) along the Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway.

The spending went ahead without an open tender process.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“Blowing $5 million on roadside art with no accountability is exactly the sort of decision-making that drives up project costs and erodes public trust.”

“While this may be a fraction of the overall budget, the same approach across projects nationwide adds up quickly. What’s the real bill to taxpayers?”

“New Zealand ranks among the top ten percent of OECD countries for infrastructure spending but the bottom ten percent for value for money. That gap comes from poor outcomes and wasteful spending.”

“If Waka Kotahi is serious about trimming non-essential spending, roadside artwork – unrelated to road safety or delivery – would be a good place to start.”