Letters: Rotorua's Mudtopia was money down the drain

Mudtopia Festival was a waste of money say some readers. Photo / File

I read with interest the Mudtopia article (Local News, July 4) and can only shudder at more money going down the drain.

This council is just as bad as the previous ones going back as far as the airport saga that wasn't going to cost ratepayers a cent.

If this sort of carry-on was in the education sector, the council would have been replaced by a Commissioner.

I think first thing this council should do is throw away the shovel so the financial hole doesn't get any bigger,and start filling it in.

The second thing is get back to basics.

Thirdly, give the ratepayers, and remember renters contribute to the rate take, value for their money, and stop wasting it on doubtful projects.

We always hear that this or that project will save money or be of benefit to the community, only to be told later that it will cost you mega bucks.

When will this nightmare end?

Derek Packham
Lake Tarawera

Serious questions needed

The Rotorua Daily Post (Local News, July 4) reports a $600,000 loss to ratepayers from the Mudtopia event held last December which needs some serious questions asked: Why were festival directors paid almost $400,000 for a three-day event as this was reported to be the second largest expense?

How many directors were there and who were these directors?

Ratepayers have a right to know this information and if not forthcoming from council, then this information will be sought under the Official Information Act.

Even if there were four directors, this means they were each paid almost $100,000 for a three-day event – you have got to be kidding.

Interestingly, operational staffing only costs only amounted to $10,050.

Other costs which are surprising and interesting is the $77,040 for social media and nearly $85,000 for Trademark and branding costs – someone really got carried away on these.

Who authorised this at Rotorua Lakes Council and were these amounts known before the council agreed to underwrite the event?

Why were most of the tickets simply given way? Was a case study prepared which included widespread canvassing of support for the event?

These poor decisions defy belief and are another example of a council where expenditure is out of control. Again, easy to spend someone else's money.

Paul Carpenter
Rotorua