The Wellington City Council has defended an almost $100,000 bill forked out for a banquet to entertain Chinese VIPs last year, saying it was an investment in the city's economy.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The council has released data on its spending on entertainment, gifts, and catering for the 2017 calendar year.
In the mix was a $98,000 dollar bill for a Chinese mayoral banquet at TSB Bank Arena Auditorium on 4 December.
Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said the banquet was part of larger weekend event hosted by other organisations, and it had been budgeted for out of the City Growth Fund.
The fund is designed to support projects that boost Wellington's economy.
He said the dinner was a networking event aimed to create tourism and business deals with the Chinese.
"We thought it was entirely appropriate given the people who had flown to Wellington from China and given their influence in China we thought that to put on a very good evening that promotes Wellington - you can't do things by halves.
"It was Wellington's turn to host the event last December which is why we ended up footing the bill for the banquet."
"We obviously budgeted and looked at options and it was agreed that this was the right amount to spend given that the large number of people there and the fact that we wanted to show the best of Wellington to them."
An inclusive cost of $22,000 for "theme and menu design" was also justified, he said.
"The venue was dressed up, made to look good, the whole thing was a Wellington-experience thing. The menu and programme was printed in two languages and we wanted things to look good."
Mr MacLean said 270 guests attended the banquet and about half were from China.
Paying for the dinner was an investment the ratepayers would get back once tourism and business deals had been secured, he said.
"That was the entire point of spending the money, it was to bring business and tourism dollars to Wellington."
"The purpose of the banquet, and the whole weekend was to strengthen New Zealand - China relationships. It was a business, tourism and diplomatic venture."
The banquet took place as part of the second New Zealand China Mayoral Forum which happened over the weekend.
Mr MacLean said the council had not funded other activities over that period.
The first forum was hosted in 2015 by Wellington's sister city, Xiamen.
Wellington mayor Justin Lester said the money spent on the banquet was worth it.
"The banquet was not just a meal and drinks. We provided the attendees with a Wellington showcase, highlighting [the World of Wearable Arts event], our craft beer and coffee industries, mountain biking, the film industry and some of our great performance artists and musicians.
"The meal provided was also a delicious sample of the food, beer and wine we produce in this region."
Mr Lester said the entire event was a success and had already put some economic developments in the pipeline.
"Alibaba attended the forum and are seeking to work with local Wellington producers and manufacturers.
"Local companies and organisations such as Pukeko Pictures, Victoria University, Weltec/Whitireia, PikPok and Te Papa are all working closely with Chinese partners."