This isn’t an office—it’s a corporate penthouse for local bureaucrats

Responding to news that Tauranga City Council has signed a $91.9 million lease for new offices and budgeted a further $33.5 million for an interior fit-out—complete with $470,000 worth of coffee machines — Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:

“This isn’t an office—it’s a corporate penthouse for local bureaucrats. Ratepayers are coughing up for a $125 million glass tower with barista-grade coffee on tap, while basic city services fall by the wayside.”

“Council staff already enjoy perks like $100,000 life insurance, bonus annual leave, and subsidised bus cards. Now they’re adding $470,000 in coffee machines and a Wall Street-style fit-out on the ratepayer tab.”

“Tauranga City Council needs to get back to basics. Fix roads, clear drains, and stop behaving like a Fortune 500 company. Tauranga doesn’t need a luxury headquarters—it needs accountability.”