Council’s $60m PR machine out of control
 
Auckland Council spent at least $59.4m of ratepayers’ money on communications, publications and marketing in its first two years of existence, Auckland Councillor for Orakei Cameron Brewer has revealed.
 
Documents obtained under the Local Government Official Information And Meetings Act by Mr Brewer show that Auckland Council, including its seven council controlled organisations, spent at least $59.4m on public relations, publications, and marketing and employed at least 143 in-house communications and marketing staff, as well as engaged dozens and dozens of advertising agencies and other external guns.
 
"Without exaggeration, there are literally hundreds of internal and external spin-doctors, communications advisors, advertising gurus and marketing companies making a good living off the poor old suburban Auckland ratepayer. It's completely out of whack.
 
"The public was promised that the likes of PR people, marketers and advertising agencies would be rationalised with the amalgamation of eight councils into one. But it seems that we have more than ever. This is another example of the Mayor not delivering on all the promise amalgamation presented. There's way too much fat in these budgets, yet in coming financial year some core council services are set to be cut, such as no longer mowing the grass berms in the old Auckland City area.
 
"The council has spent the first two years trying to convince the public how well it’s done, but it has been completely over the top. For example, we didn't need expensive glossy copies of every draft plan, strategy or report dreamt up but that's what has happened, and most are now doorstops. What a waste.
 
"Yes the council needs to consult and inform the public as per the Local Government Act, but this is completely out of control and taking the council’s statutory obligation to communicate to the extreme. This is more about making the organisation and the Mayor look good at the expense of the cash-strapped ratepayer,” says Cameron Brewer.

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