Taxpayers’ Union Backs NPDC Mayor For Halting $1m Hapū Deal

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is backing New Plymouth District Council Mayor Max Brough for pausing a proposed service level agreement reportedly worth close to $1 million with Puketapu Hapū.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Ratepayer Protection Pledge-signing Mayor Brough is absolutely right to hit the brakes on a deal when nearly a million dollars of ratepayers’ money is on the table, and the newly elected council hasn’t had the chance to properly scrutinise it.”

“Every hapū and iwi in the district cannot expect a $1 million consulting agreement with council at the cost of ratepayers footing an open-ended bill.”

“It’s not an attack on mana to ask questions about value for money but it is an attack on ratepayers’ wallets and their own mana to wave through costly agreements without proper oversight.”

“Councils have a legal obligation to consult with Māori, but they must do so in the most cost-effective way possible. Whether that means in-house capability or structured committees, it should not mean defaulting to behind-closed-doors arrangements.”

“Ratepayers expect their elected representatives to ask hard questions and keep costs under control. On this issue, Mayor Brough is showing exactly the kind of leadership that’s been missing in local government.”