The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal under Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Invercargill City Council spent $7,334,394 on consultants and legal services in just three years.

The spending includes fees for everything from strategy consultants and cultural engagement advisers to legal firms and planning experts.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, says:

“Ratepayers are forking out over $7 million to consultants while basic council services remain under pressure. When you need a consultant to tell you how to build a playground or put up signage, something has gone very wrong.”

“This is exactly the sort of out-of-control spending that’s driving up rates and leaving residents worse off. Too often, councils hide this under the vague label of 'expert advice' but the rates bill ends up in the letterbox of every ratepayer.”

“Consultants don’t come cheap but Invercargill ratepayers shouldn’t be treated like an ATM every time council wants to outsource its thinking. The Council needs to be forced to focus on core services through rates capping now."

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