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Auckland councillors have given themselves big pay rises just weeks after the newly merged council came into being with a goal of efficiency and trimming costs.
The Remuneration Authority set initial levels for councillors' pay before the October election and has now made another $200,000 available, which the council has allocated today.
But ratepayers' groups say the rise is unjustified and unnecessary.
The Deputy Mayor gets a 50% hike, meaning Penny Hulse will be paid $120,000, up from $80,000.
Chairs of council committees will receive a 20% rise in remuneration from $80,000 to $96,000.
Ordinary councillors will see their pay rise 10% from $80,000 to $88,000.
This comes days after Auckland ratepayers learned councillors propose a rates rise of 4.9%.
Hulse admits it is always uncomfortable to discuss remuneration but insists ratepayers will get their money's worth from her.
"I'm required to be across all issues of council, doing the donkey work in the background. Over the next three years the ratepayers will certainly get their pound of flesh out of me," she said.
Mayor Len Brown also said the money matches the job.
"This role is a dual-edged sword. It is hugely important."
But those who oppose the pay rises said they are premature and the council should be cutting back to account for the mayor's costly transport infrastructure and waterfront development visions.
David Thornton of the No More Rates Action Group said it is "nonsense" for the councillors to say the pay rises were in the budget. He said the rises were not necessary.
One ratepayer spoken to by ONE News said the rates rise is "a bit off" while others said it should not be approved without much more explanation.
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