Small councils are under fire from the Taxpayers Union for the high salaries paid to CEOs.

It's crunched the numbers and released a report comparing the remuneration of councillors, CEOs and Mayors of various councils.

Spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says Auckland Council's CEO is the highest-paid, on a salary of more than 690 thousand dollars, but it’s a tiny cost on a per-ratepayer basis.

He says where they see a rip off for ratepayers is in small local councils.

"Such as Far North District, Westland District Council and Nelson City Council, where despite having small populations the CEOs are earning upwards of $300,000 or even $400,000."

He says that Westland District Council is the worst offender.

"What we found amazing was that one of the very smallest councils in the country, Westland District Council with oly about $6,000, has the 10th highest paid CEO with over $360,000.

Houlbrooke says the cost per-ratepayer just to cover his salary, is about $55, which he says acceptable.

LISTEN TO LOUIS HOULBROOKE TALK WITH LARRY WILLIAMS ABOVE