THE NZ Herald has run two stories of Auckland council officers placed "on the ground" in London and San Francisco to further economic development for Auckland.
It's a concept that doesn't sit well with the average ratepayer, who likes the old-fashioned ideal of council staff who are either organising picnics in the park, collecting parking fines and replacing old sewer pipes.
But no one bats an eyelid when central government or big private businesses have someone who carries the flag overseas.
With any business that relies on exports, it's as natural as breathing.
For a country that relies powerfully on tourism, we don't question it.
For all the phone calls and emails, nothing beats the person on the ground. It's a real person who makes conversation.
You can't deny their presence, can't throw them in a wastepaper bin.
They sparkle with conversation, they use the fact that body language is a major part of communication.
They make an impression. Hopefully a good one.
I'm not for a minute suggesting that Masterton District Council puts a random council officer in Shanghai, with a brief to shake hands and hand out My Masterton brochures.
But exchange trips happen from time to time, at least they certainly do with councils over the hill.
I remember when Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown came back from China with a dozen bicycles.
It was symbolic of good will, and all part of the possibilities of economy.
If there was an opportunity for genuine investment, which Auckland is pursuing, then no council needs to apologise for bringing in those opportunities. We don't generate enough money ourselves - one argument for the super-city - and so we need someone else's. It has to be admitted that a super-city is far better placed to promote itself in terms of economic growth to overseas interests, in presenting the whole package, as it were. It's one of those 30-year items worth thinking about.