Governor-General to return pay rise to Crown

The Crown accounts will be $3183 better off after Governor-General Anand Satyanand's commitment today to channel a pay increase back to the Government.

Mr Satyanand's office wrote in January to the Remuneration Authority stating he wished to forgo any rise in salary in the tough economic times, but an increase was nevertheless confirmed today.

"The Governor-General is not questioning how the Remuneration Authority reached its determination, and accepts the outcome," a statement from his office said today.

"In light of his wish to receive no salary increase, however, he has decided to return the amount of the increase to the Crown accounts."

His salary as at January 1 this year was listed as $188,462 - tax free - with an April 1 increase set to take that to $191,645.

"The determination strikes a balance between the Remuneration Authority's statutory obligation to be fair to the person whose remuneration is being determined and the Governor-General's expressed wish not to receive a salary increase this year," the authority said in an explanation letter.

Mr Satyanand's stance follows the precedent set by other recipients, during difficult economic times, who have elected either to give the amount of the increase to charity or to return it to the Crown.

MPs also unanimously passed a motion last month asking that they not get a pay rise this year due to the tough economic times.

The Remuneration Authority, which sets the pay of MPs, the governor-general, judges and councillors, last month wrote to councils seeking submissions on a proposed pay rise which would kick in on July 1.

- NZPA