I'm no Gould-digger - councillor

By REBECCA DEVINE in Rotorua
Most people wouldn't turn down an extra few hundred dollars a year, but Rotorua district councillor Mark Gould tried to.

The first-term councillor tried to turn down a $295 salary increase.

While he wasn't successful convincing other councillors to vote against the increase, he will probably give the extra money to charity.

Cr Gould says he simply doesn't believe the councillors have earned their 1.6 per cent pay rise as they were elected only last October.

The increase was set by the Remuneration Authority and will be backdated to July.

Councillors' pay is worked out on a formula which looks at the population, assets and services the council provides.

The decision will see councillors getting an extra $295 a week to bring their earnings to $18,297 a year.

Those chairing committees will get $378 more a week to bring them to just over $23,000 a year.

Cr Gould conceded it was not a particularly big increase and maintained that councillors were paid very poorly for what they do.

However, he said that it had been such a short time since the elections that the current council hadn't yet had the opportunity to prove itself.

"The council has been going through a review of all costs so I felt the council could save some money."

It is not possible for the council to not accept the increase and instead put the money into other council business.

Cr Gould said councillors' salaries should be increased to make it a viable full-time job.

Many people were prevented from running for council because it would affect their work and income, he said.

Between reading reports and agendas, attending meetings and hosting delegations, Cr Gould estimated he spent 20 to 25 hours on council business during an average week.

Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters agreed roles in public office should be paid more.

"You definitely don't do the job for the money."

He conceded the low pay for councillors limited the number of people who could stand.

Mr Winters, who works more than 50 hours a week, said his salary of more than $85,000 was justified.