13 Oct 2012

Mangawhai residents question commissioners' pay

4:40 pm on 13 October 2012

People in the Northland town of Mangawhai, who are refusing to pay their rates, are questioning the cost of commissioners now running Kaipara District Council.

The Government appointed the four commissioners after the council's $80 million debt led to a rates revolt.

The fees are $1400 per day for the chairperson and $900 for each of the three other commissioners.

Mangawhai Ratepayers Association chairperson Bruce Rogan says that is outrageously high for a small council that is essentially broke.

He says Kaipara could be run by just one commissioner and Local Government Minister David Carter should explain why it needs four.

Mr Carter says the fees are set according to the Local Government Act and those for Kaipara are consistent with the rates for the Canterbury Regional Council commissioners.