Manukau City chief executive Leigh Auton has charged ratepayers $244 for two combined birthday celebrations with Mayor Len Brown and Deputy Mayor Gary Troup.
The council's senior leadership have birthdays on consecutive days between October 1 and October 3 and use their birthdays to get together and take stock ofwhat is happening in the community, Mr Auton says.
On October 1 - Mr Brown's birthday - the three shared a $178.50 lunch in 2008 and a combined birthday celebration costing $65.50 last year.
On both occasions they celebrated at Republic Bar and Kitchen in Manukau where pizzas cost $19.50 and steak and fries is $34.50.
Yesterday, Mr Auton said the first lunch occurred immediately after Mr Brown returned from work after a heart attack and was an opportunity to acknowledge the role of Mr Troup and the mayoral office during a difficult time.
"After that first lunch we recognised this as a good opportunity to use it as a time to catch up with each other and reinforce the excellent relationship we share in steering the city forward.
"I anticipate we will do the same this year," Mr Auton said.
He said the fact the three were on the "same page" was something they had worked on and were proud of "and I believe crucial to the successful running of our city".
Mr Auton, who was given a $35,313 pay rise last year, despite restrictions on other council staff and the pressures of the recession, said the lunches were a "legitimate business expense" and he would not repay ratepayers out of his $412,079 salary.
Mr Brown, who is paid $157,096 as mayor, refused to comment on the ratepayer-funded birthday celebrations. His Super City mayoral campaign spokesman, David Lewis, pointed the Herald to Mr Auton's "clear explanation of the work lunches".
BIRTHDAY BOYS * October 1 - Len Brown
* October 2 - Leigh Auton
* October 3 - Gary Troup
