New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom spent more than $15,500 on expenses like flights, accommodation and taxis in six months. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
New Plymouth's mayor and elected officials have chalked up close to $70,000 in expenses in the first six months of 2024.
The figure is revealed in the council's latest sensitive expenditure report, which goes before the finance, audit and risk committee next week.
It was a similar amount to that declared for the previous six months.
Mayor Neil Holdom racked up the most in expenses.
He spent more than $15,500, including more than $8000 on flights and taxis, and more than $1500 on accommodation.
Holdom attended seven out of region meetings during the period most relating to Local Government New Zealand, including one which he chaired and another where he was a presenter.
He also attended the India Republic Day Reception in Wellington and visited Mayor Nick Smith of Nelson City Council.
In the previous six month period, Holdom also had the highest expenses, spending $12,873, including $4417 on flights and $3490 on accommodation.
In comparison chief executive of New Plymouth District Council Gareth Green clocked up $861 in travel expenses and $484 for accommodation in the first six months of this year.
The Office of the Auditor General defines sensitive expenditure as "any spending by an organisation that could be seen as giving private benefit to a staff member, their family, or friends".
It encouraged councils to be transparent about such expenses.
New Plymouth elected officials declare travel expenses (including mileage claims and mayoral fleet card), accommodation, catering, professional development costs, communications expenses (including personal computer, printer, landline/broadband, mobile, and/or text/data/calls), gift register entries and sundry expenses (including meals, childcare and late notice airfares).
Councillor Dinnie Moeahu had the next highest expenses at more than $8500 which included more than $7000 in milage.
Four councillors - Max Brough, Gordon Brown, Anneka Carlson Matthews and Bali Haque - did not claim expenses or reimbursement for professional development.
Amanda Clinton Gohdes was the only councillor to claim childcare expenses ($2183).
The gifts register showed nine councillors - including the mayor - accepted a double pass to the Womad festival valued at $780.
Graham Chard had the highest expenses of a community board member, raking up more than $4800 in communication costs and milage.
In his role as mayor of New Plymouth Neil Holdom earns $160,000 annually, while councillors with no additional responsibilities earn about $54,000. The Kaitake community board chair receives $15,800 while an ordinary member gets $7900.
In 2022/2023 six council staff, excluding the chief executive, were paid between $200,000 and $319,999.