The commissioner team running the Southern District Health Board racked up nearly $120,000 in fees and expenses in three months, an Official Information Act response shows.
Commissioner Kathy Grant and her three deputies cost $119,975 between July 20 and October 19.
Mrs Grant billed for 30.5 days' work at $1400 a day, a total of $42,700.
With expenses, her figure was $44,605.
Expenses include flights, accommodation, taxis and mileage.
None of the team billed for food or drink.
The board paid $1497 for 11 nights' accommodation and $4369 travel expenses for Christchurch-based deputy commissioner Dr Angela Pitchford.
The other deputies are Richard Thomson and Graham Crombie, both of Dunedin.
The deputies receive fees of $900 a day.
Mr Thomson billed for 27.5 days, Mr Crombie for 31.5 days and Dr Pitchford for 14.5 days.
The cash-strapped board must stump up for the fees and expenses, but it is offset by no longer having board members to pay.
The former board cost $345,000 in fees 2013-14, but that figure does not include expenses.
Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman dismissed the board in June because of its deficit.
The commissioner team has spent much time talking to staff about the board's problems, and earlier this month released a one-page ''work plan'' suggesting steps to get the board on track.
They are helping senior management make day-to-day decisions.
