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Candidate takes aim at council's comms spending

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Thu, 3 Sep 2015, 9:14AM
Auckland mayor Len Brown (NZME.)
Auckland mayor Len Brown (NZME.)

Candidate takes aim at council's comms spending

Author
Michael Sergel,
Publish Date
Thu, 3 Sep 2015, 9:14AM

A high-profile Auckland Council candidate has taken aim at the council's spending on communications.

Bill Ralston is planning to stand against Mike Lee in the central Waitemata Ward at next year's local election.

On social media, he said the council employs 92 communications staff - more than all the journalists in the city's newsrooms.

According to the council, many of these staff work on communications required by law.

This includes providing information and organising consultations on plans, bylaw changes and council decisions.

Only four staff deal directly with the media.

The council has cut communications staff from 130 to 92, and shaved $4.3 million off its $12.7 million communications budget.

That spending pales in comparison to council-controlled organisations.

Together, CCOs like Auckland Transport, ATEED and Regional Facilities Auckland spent $25.82 million on communications and marketing last financial year.

These organisations receive ratepayer funding but operate at arm's length of the council and its elected representatives.

Mayor Len Brown's office also has separate communications staff.

 

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