Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jun 14, 2017 17:11:30 GMT 12
TREATY SETTLEMENT OFFICIALS SPEND MORE THAN $57,000 OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY TRAVELLING TO CHATHAM ISLANDS
More than $57,000 of taxpayers' money has been spent on jet-setting Government officials to the Chatham Islands and back for iwi negotiations.
Figures provided by the Taxpayers' Union reveal $44,214 was spent on flights, $10,911 on hotels and $2,025 on rental cars and fees in the period from August 2015 to March 2017.
The Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) blamed a "lack of high-speed internet connection" in the Chathams for much of the travel, and that neither of the iwi negotiating with OTS had access to video conferencing equipment.
However Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams says the local council was contacted about the infrastructure and the response was that the internet works "perfectly fine".
"Serious questions need to be asked about why the Office have not elected to use other means to remain connected with those involved in the negotiations on the Chatham Islands. .....
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93625780/treaty-settlement-officials-spend-more-than-57000-of-taxpayers-money-travelling-to-chatham-islands
More than $57,000 of taxpayers' money has been spent on jet-setting Government officials to the Chatham Islands and back for iwi negotiations.
Figures provided by the Taxpayers' Union reveal $44,214 was spent on flights, $10,911 on hotels and $2,025 on rental cars and fees in the period from August 2015 to March 2017.
The Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) blamed a "lack of high-speed internet connection" in the Chathams for much of the travel, and that neither of the iwi negotiating with OTS had access to video conferencing equipment.
However Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams says the local council was contacted about the infrastructure and the response was that the internet works "perfectly fine".
"Serious questions need to be asked about why the Office have not elected to use other means to remain connected with those involved in the negotiations on the Chatham Islands. .....
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93625780/treaty-settlement-officials-spend-more-than-57000-of-taxpayers-money-travelling-to-chatham-islands