MEDIA RELEASE

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Should Have Made Decision Public

27 FEBRUARY 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Responding to media reports that the Hawke's Bay Regional Council tried to keep the $84,500 rise in salary of their CEO, Andrew Newman, secret from the public, Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayer's Union says:

"The councillors who agreed to the raise have lost sight of their role as stewards of ratepayer money. No wonder they wanted the backdated raise kept secret and buried in the Council's annual report."

"It is clear that councillors were embarrassed writing the $380,000 pay cheque using ratepayer money. Mr Newman's running a council, not a cash cow."

"With so many questions hanging over the Ruataniwha Dam and calls for more transparency, it is a relief that at least some councillors felt the need to go public."

Mr Newman's salary is now $380,000, more than $75,000 greater than the Deputy Prime Minister.

ENDS

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