News
• Mayor says council must risk more to avoid growing bills for specialist advice
• Figures show over seven million dollars spent on advice in under three years
• Councillors told they should accept mistakes rather than pay further large consultancy fees
Invercargill’s mayor Nobby Clark says the city is paying a steep price for playing it safe, after figures revealed more than $7.3 million has gone to external consultants in just two and a half years.
Clark argues the council’s tight approach to risk stops elected members from challenging official advice. He believes managers then hire outside experts to reinforce their recommendations, leaving ratepayers footing an ever-larger bill.
“Our organisation has a very low tolerance for risk, so councillors do not “run against” what staff tell them,” Clark said. “For me, personally, I think the risk should be higher. We should take more risk.” He added: “Because at the end of the day, you’ve got to balance it out against the cost of these consultants, which are eye watering amounts.”
Data released under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act show $2.58 million was spent on consultants in the year to June 2023. The figure climbed to $3.23 million in the following 12 months, with a further $1.52 million spent in the six months to December 2024.
REVEALED: Invercargill Consultant Bill Tops $7.3 Million
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal under Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that Invercargill City Council spent $7,334,394 on consultants and legal services in just three years. Read the list here! The spending includes fees for everything from strategy consultants and cultural engagement advisers
News Desk
During the period, more than 160 firms were contracted. Accounting giant Deloitte received the largest share – over $424,000 – for work such as reviewing rates, checking contracts and providing risk support. Engineering company Stantec followed, earning in excess of $396,000 while helping the council secure a new consent for Bluff’s wastewater scheme.
Clark insists only a cultural shift will curb the rising costs. He wants staff told to limit consultancy spending and councillors to accept that bolder choices may sometimes misfire. “And if we get it wrong, we get it wrong,” he said.
The Invercargill City Council was approached for comment but had not replied before deadline.
90 Seconds+ with Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark - Is The Museum On Track?
🚀 90 Seconds+ with Mayor Nobby Clark
Will Invercargill’s new museum open on time, or slide into 2027? Nobby lays down a deadline, talks looming council amalgamations, rate-capping plans, and why Southland deserves better air links. Catch the quick-fire update and see what’s next for the city! Also worth
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