Gisborne district councillor Bill Burdett, who lives near Ruatoria, claimed back $17,000 in mileage and travel time. Photo / Paul Rickard, The Gisborne HeraldBy Alice Angeloni, Local Democracy ReporterA rural councillor who travels two hours each way to attend council meetings in Gisborne has claimed $17,000 to cover mileage and time. "The rural councillors are so important to the operation of council although it hasn't appeared that way of late," he said. Travel, transport and training costs made up 93 per cent of total costs, or $43,700. Photo / Alice Angeloni, LDROf councillors, rural councillor Pat Seymour had the second-highest claim of $5939.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 22, 2021 02:26 UTC