Sky’s the limit as civil servants run up satellite TV bills

Taxpayers shelled out $56,000 so MPs could watch Sky TV – but the beancounters insist they have to get ‘‘special permission’’ to see the satellite broadcaster’s more exclusive stations.

Central and local government agencies are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on Sky TV subscriptions. This emerges at the broadcaster announces plans to merge with telco Vodafone, creating a media behemoth.

Figures requested under the Official Information Act show that a wide variety of state-funded agencies, from hospitals and universities to councils and government departments, believe the pay TV service is an operational cost.

Data obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union shows that $682,525 was spent on Sky subs during the 2014/15 year, with more than $200,000 spent by local councils.

The list was topped by Otago University at $60,000, followed by KiwiRail and Auckland Council, both just under $50,000.

Taxpayers’ Union chief executive Jordan Williams said the spending was a waste. ‘‘The numbers we’ve uncovered show that bureaucrats either don’t have enough work to do, or are wasting money on Sky TV for luxurious staffrooms.

‘‘Politicians in Wellington also seem to be able to enjoy having the taxpayer pick up the tab for their Sky TV bills. Why every Beehive office needs taxpayer-funded sport channels is far from clear.’’

Why every Beehive office needs taxpayer-funded sport channels is far from clear. Jordan Williams Chief executive, Taxpayers’ Union

KiwiRail said all bar one of its 23 decoders were for passenger entertainment on its ferries.

The other decoder was used by Tranz Metro staff, with Sky basic and sports channels made available for on-call and shift workers.

Canterbury District Health Board spent $39,706 on 20 decoders for the 2014/2015 year. A spokeswoman said pay TV was used for the comfort of long-term patients, such as those in the Burwood Spinal Unit as well as locums working as house surgeons at Ashburton Hospital.

Williams said he did not begrudge universities and hospitals, but he did question why the likes of the Reserve Bank and the NZ Transport Agency needed cable TV.

He also applauded the NZTA’s decision to can its subscriptions.

The NZTA, which spent nearly $20,000 on Sky in the 2014/15 year, has pulled the plug to ensure it delivered ‘‘value’’ to Kiwis.

Kathy Milne, from the Parliamentary Service, said MPs and staff had to keep abreast of world news, but needed special permission to see the more costly Sky Sport channels.

An Internal Affairs spokesman did not comment on whether ministers were enjoying Sky’s sports channels, but said they also needed to access the news.

Ministers accounted for the bulk of its 45 decoders with seven spread across the staff. ‘‘These are perfectly ordinary business tools which are used as needed to support the department’s work, our service to ministers and responsiveness to the public.’’