The amount paid to members of the Christchurch City Council's only rural community board is set to halve.
Akaroa Bay on Banks Peninsula Photo: 123rf
The decision by the government-appointed Remuneration Authority is being described as appalling by Pam Richardson, the chair of one of the two boards that are merging to form the new Banks Peninsula Board.
Pam Richardson (file photo) Photo: RNZ/ Conan Young
Ms Richardson said she travelled up to 600km a week on community board business and did not understand how the authority could justify paying her less based on the fact she represented fewer ratepayers than a board member in the city.
"The Remuneration Authority does not understand the work that community boards do, you know, why should we be on a community board - and it looks as though we've been devalued compared to those boards in the city."
Ms Richardson said that, with annual pay of just over $9000 a year, many would be put off standing for the Banks Peninsula Board.
