Taranaki’s Council Bosses Paid Big While Rates Keep Climbing
The latest Council CEO Rich List from the Taxpayers’ Union shows Taranaki councils are dishing out large salaries to their Chief Executives, even as residents deal with rate hikes and stretched services.
Gareth Green from New Plymouth District Council was the highest-paid council CEO in the region, with a total package of $392,995.
Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager, said:
“Councils like New Plymouth paying CEOs more than five times the average Kiwi income sends the wrong message to ratepayers who are being told to expect service cuts.”
“Ratepayers in Taranaki are constantly told there’s no money for projects or infrastructure, but there’s always money for management.”
"These salaries show that the spirit of public service isn't being reflected by council bosses. Perhaps it's time to revert the job title from 'CEO' to Town Clerk. That would reflect what the job is supposed to be about: service, not riches."
“Councils need to lead by example. Ratepayers deserve restraint, not rate hikes to fund bloated exec salaries.”
The full list can be found at RichList.co.nz.
| Council | Chief Executive | 2023-24 Renumeration | 2022-23 Renumeration | $ Change | % Change |
| New Plymouth District Council | Gareth Green | $392,995.00 | $597,825.00 | -$204,830.00 | -34.26% |
| Taranaki Regional Council | Steve Ruru | $373,103.00 | $352,621.00 | $20,482.00 | 5.81% |
| South Taranaki District Council | Fiona Aitken | $345,984.00 | $358,215.00 | -$12,231.00 | -3.41% |
| Stratford District Council | Sven Hanne | $257,500.00 | $257,500.00 | $0.00 | 0.00% |
| 2023-24 Renumeration | 2022-23 Renumeration | $ Change | % Change | ||
| Total: | $1,369,582.00 | $1,566,161.00 | -$196,579.00 | -12.55% | |
| Average: | $342,395.50 | $391,540.25 | -$49,144.75 | -12.55% |