Small pay rises set for mayor and councillors

Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden and councillors are set to receive small pay increases, starting today.

The annual mayoral salary increases from $129,000 to $130,806, while deputy mayor Jo Mason’s salary goes from $70,033 to $71,013, a reflection of her role as sitting chairwoman of the Hearings Committee and deputy chairwoman of the Community Wellbeing Committee.

Victoria Kaye-Simmons’ annual wage goes from $46,688 to $47,342 as chairwoman of the Community Wellbeing Committee, while the chairwoman of the Community Funding and Recognition Committee Piri-Hira Tukapua also has an increase from $46,688 to $47,342.

Christine Mitchell as deputy chairwoman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee has a salary increase from $42,797 to $43,396. The remaining six councillors — Todd Isaac, David Allan, Ross Brannigan, Sam Jennings, Wayne Bishop and Robert Ketu — will get a wage rise from $38,907 to $39,452.

Further north, Foxton Community Board chairman David Roache gets a small increase, from $12,706 to $12,884, while the five elected members of the community board — Tricia Metcalf, Trevor Chambers, John Girling, Allan and Brannigan, get an increase from $6353 to $6442.

The wage increases would not get a chance to be realised over a 12-month period for some though, with an impending election just a few months away in October.

Salaries were set by the Remuneration Authority which is an independent body that determines remuneration, allowances and expenses payable to the mayor, councillors and community board members. Elected members were able to be reimbursed for expenses incurred while acting in their capacity as representatives, and for travel allowances as per the latest Inland Revenue Department rate.