A million-dollar Christmas tree is going up in downtown Auckland, leaving some baulking at the council’s spending while its residents struggle through a cost-of-living crisis.
Auckland Council hasn’t revealed the price of the 18m steel tree, set to stand in Te Komititanga Square (formerly Elizabeth Square) on lower Queen Street. However, the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance says it costs up to $1.3 million.
Auckland Council is stumping up $800,000 for the tree. [...]
Alliance spokesman Sam Warren told the Herald the cost raised questions around spending priorities.
“There’s no doubt the tree will look stunning – it should, given its incredibly high price tag,” Warren said.
“But considering the state of the books, and how everyone else has had to tighten their belts, it’s hard not to wonder if this is a ‘nice to have’ and not a necessity.”
The alliance, an offshoot of the Taxpayers’ Union, lodged a Local Government Offical [sic] Information and Meetings Act request to seek details of the full cost breakdown. This, however, was declined.
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Some at concerned at the council’s spending while people are struggling through a cost-of-living crisis.
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