City managers cost $7900 each to recruit

Photo / NZ Herald

Momentum recruitment firm spent $355,500 hiring 45 mid-tier managers for the new Auckland City Council, Parliament was told yesterday.

Momentum has been in the news lately for its role recruiting Stephen Wilce - who is accused of embellishing his CV - to be the Defence Force's chief scientist and last week NZPA reported that it recruited an unqualified woman to be an accountant for an organisation she went on to rip off.

Labour MP Phil Twyford asked Local Government Minister Rodney Hide during question time in Parliament about the cost of Momentum.

He again raised concerns that former National Party president Michelle Boag, an adviser to Auckland City Mayor John Banks in his campaign to head the new council, is a senior consultant with Momentum.

She has withdrawn from involvement in the recruitment process.

Mr Hide said the company was chosen because it was the cheapest.

"I have been assured by the Auckland Transition Agency that Momentum has done a good job.

"Of course, I am not responsible, as minister, for the behaviour of Michelle Boag or Momentum."

- NZPA