The Taxpayers' Union can reveal that Te Wharekura o Tauranga Moana is set to take staff to Tahiti this Friday and refuses to answer basic questions to justify the spend.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

"Earlier this week we received a tip off that Te Wharekura o Tauranga Moana is taking all its staff to Tahiti for a 'team building' and 'leadership' trip. The school has refused to engage with us, return calls, or answer questions. In fact, since our reaching out yesterday morning the school's phone has literally been off the hook."

“No wonder the Principal is hiding. This is taxpayer-funded tourism, not education.”

"Any justification that this is about team building is a fraud. This school is already a very tight knit community. In fact, it appears many of the teaching staff are actually in the same whanau."

"There is absolutely no excuse for using taxpayer money on an overseas island holiday for school staff.  School operational funds are meant for teaching kids and this is precisely the sort of spending the Auditor General has previously called out as unacceptable."

"There may be some justification for overseas professional development for principals, but that can't possibly extend to all school staff. This looks to be a rort and the fact the school literally won't pick up the phone now they know we are on to them is an 'up yours' to both taxpayers and Tamariki."

"Given the trip isn't for a few days, we call on the Minister of Education to intervene and pull the plug. Every dollar spent on these trips is a dollar not going to classrooms. If the Minister won’t act now, she’s endorsing waste.”

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Rotorua Lakes Council—via its Council Controlled Organisation, RotoruaNZ—forked out $93,985 on a television campaign featuring Mayor Tania Tapsell.

The ‘Robe Trip’ campaign, targeting luxury-seeking Auckland couples, cost $42,784 to produce and a further $51,201 to broadcast.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:

“RotoruaNZ may claim no general rates were used in this production. Yet the targeted business rate means local business already struggling to keep doors open are forced to foot the bill.”

“The campaign was subject to no fewer than 15 rounds of meetings between the agency, Council board, and Mayor’s office.”

“For a city battling infrastructure issues and crime, the time and money spent on this puff piece shows how warped Council priorities have become."

“This campaign might be dressed in a robe, but it’s ratepayer exploitation, plain and simple. RotoruaNZ should be focusing on delivering value, not puff pieces for the Mayor’s profile.”

Tauranga City Council has confirmed a 9.9 percent rates increase. Council has cited savings found that has led to a lower rise than the 12 percent proposed, and the 20 percent originally projected.

“9.9 percent is not a victory—and councillors should not be patting themselves on the back for a rates increase only slightly less extreme than 12 percent.” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“On top of last year’s 13.1 percent increase, it’s a cumulative rates rise of more than 24 percent in just two years. That’s simply not affordable.”

“Have we lost sight of what a ‘normal’ rates increase might be that this is somehow palatable?”

“It’s good to reduce the rise, but much more work needs to be done. Mayor Drysdale claims he has found ‘savings’—but there is not shortage of opportunities to go further, starting with the $125 million lease for Councils’ new offices, or $450,000 coffee machines rentals.”