Egotistical Politicians Pursue New Award

Affordable Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry reckons it isn’t hard to discover a constant stream of projects wasting Auckland ratepayer’s money. The most recent one is the attempt to be awarded the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. “It is appropriate that some are calling this prize the Olympics of world city prizes because often the steps countries take to host the Olympics result in them building several stadiums that end up being white elephants once the games are over.”

Auckland Council will be using $70,000 this year from the Mayoral and Planning budgets to prepare the material and report in pursuing the prize. Berry asks, “What difference does it really make if we win this prize or not? Who will be researching the Lee Kuan Yew prize when choosing their next holiday destination? This is an ego-rub for politicians and a disgraceful show of disrespect for the money of Auckland ratepayers.”

Should Auckland make the shortlist in the competition, the council will spend a further $60,000 funding a presentation which includes Len Brown and a delegation flying to Singapore.

“That is exactly what the LKY prize is all about, an opportunity for an unpopular politician to cram as many overseas jaunts in before his eventual dispatch from office. However it isn’t just current politicans getting in on the game. It seems everyone who can is finding an excuse for a trip overseas.” Former Waitakere Mayor Sir Bob Harvey, now Chairman of Waterfront Auckland will head to Singapore on Friday to deliver a ten kilogram entry.

Affordable Auckland believes Council spending should be restricted it core functions only. This includes areas such as street lighting, footpaths and managing storm water. “Stroking politician’s egos with meaningless awards most definitely is not core Council spending.”

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