City CEO apologises for lights ‘debacle’
Invercargill City Council chief executive Richard King has taken responsibility for the council’s Christmas lights problems and apologised to the city.
Last week it was revealed the council’s $5500 Christmas lights, bought in China, were not compliant with New Zealand electrical standards.
‘‘I apologise to the public of Invercargill for the non-compliant Christmas light debacle,’’ King said.
‘‘I take full responsibility for the whole situation because I authorised the trip to China to buy them. The most basic of errors has occurred and this has been an embarrassment for myself and the city.’’
King said when the lights were bought, they had European and US certification, but did not meet the New Zealand and Australian electrical standards.
The council was hoping they could be modified to meet the standards.
Throwing them out would be the worst-case scenario but if they did have to be thrown away, replacement lights would be bought from a New Zealand supplier, he said.
In September 2015, council staff travelled to Invercargill’s Chinese sister city, Suqian, to buy Christmas lights, at a cost of more than $21,000 to ratepayers. King said he wanted to make it clear no councillors were involved with the trip, and it was only council staff who went to China.
He had spoken with Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, who told him the outcome was not acceptable, and asked to know how the situation could have happened and what procedures were being put in place to make sure such an oversight was not repeated by the council.
‘‘I assured the mayor and wish
‘‘The most basic of errors has occurred and this has been an embarrassment for myself and the city.’’ Richard King
to ensure the public of Invercargill that this issue is being treated seriously and all efforts will be put into finding a solution,’’ King said.
Shadbolt had asked for a preliminary report to be put together, which would be ready ‘‘as soon as possible’’, King said.
‘‘It’s been a bit of a fiasco ... noone set out to achieve this result,’’ he said.
‘‘You’re not paid to make mistakes but sometimes you make mistakes.’’