Board faces taniwha advice fee

Photo / Paul Taylor

Auckland's independent Maori Statutory Board has been invoiced thousands of dollars for public relations advice about dealing with the taniwha Horotiu beneath the CBD.

Right-wing commentator Matthew Hooton's company Exceltium invoiced the board $13,634 at the end of last month for consultancy services, which included $3212 for "advice on taniwha, kohanga reo and watercare issues".

Board chair David Taipari said the taniwha advice was to alert the board about the number of incoming media calls and how to manage them, not what to comment about.

The taniwha made worldwide news last month after board member Glenn Wilcox asked Auckland Council's transport committee what had been done about the taniwha Horotiu in its plans for a $2.6 billion tunnel project.

Taipari said the board opted not to delve into the taniwha issue because it was not a matter for the board, and the invoiced advice was one of a number of services rendered by Exceltium.

He said just because someone sent through an invoice did not mean it was automatically paid.

The Independent Maori Statutory Board attracted public attention in February when the council's finance committee committed $3.4 million to run it for the 2011-12 financial year.

This was reduced to $1.9 million after a public outcry.