DTNZ: Wayne Brown to scrap council meeting lunches

Auckland’s mayor has ordered an end to ratepayer-funded lunches at full council meetings after scrutiny of a catering bill that reached $1.4 million in the past year and nearly $5 million over four years, though meeting lunches themselves accounted for a relatively small portion of that total.

Initially dismissive of concerns when first approached by state media, the mayor later reversed course, saying the issue had become a distraction and councillors should focus on larger financial matters, while critics argue the broader problem is a lack of clear catering policy and inconsistent departmental spending.

Some officials defend the provision of light refreshments during long meetings as reasonable, while others say tighter controls are needed, with debate continuing over whether cutting catering meaningfully addresses wider financial priorities.

Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.