The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal under Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Invercargill City Council spent $7,334,394 on consultants and legal services in just three years.

The spending includes fees for everything from strategy consultants and cultural engagement advisers to legal firms and planning experts.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, says:

“Ratepayers are forking out over $7 million to consultants while basic council services remain under pressure. When you need a consultant to tell you how to build a playground or put up signage, something has gone very wrong.”

“This is exactly the sort of out-of-control spending that’s driving up rates and leaving residents worse off. Too often, councils hide this under the vague label of 'expert advice' but the rates bill ends up in the letterbox of every ratepayer.”

“Consultants don’t come cheap but Invercargill ratepayers shouldn’t be treated like an ATM every time council wants to outsource its thinking. The Council needs to be forced to focus on core services through rates capping now."

Environment Southland has supported the investigation for a ‘mega merger’ with its three other Southland councils that would see two unitary authorities emerge.

“Looking closer into how councils can better work together and reduce costs for the ratepayer is priority number one” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union.

“Any genuine effort to reduce the burden on ratepayers is a good thing. But let’s not pretend big council automatically translates to better council. Auckland’s Super City is case in point, where the only result was greater bureaucracy and empire-building.”

"Collaboration has been done effectively elsewhere, like between Manawatū and Whanganui councils, where better efficiencies have been found as well as cost sharing."

“Change for the sake of change is not the solution. Proceed with caution and keep the local community involved in every aspect of the process.”