CEO's $68,000 pay rise hits nerve

Ratepayers in Christchurch struggling to cope in a earthquake-ravaged city have vented their anger over a pay rise of almost $70,000 a year for the city council chief executive.

Tony Marryatt stands to gain an extra $68,129 from the salary increase narrowly approved last week by the council - taking his total salary to $538,529 a year.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who voted in favour of the increase, said it was in line with the pay of other chief executives in similar positions, and recognised the large responsibility Mr Marryatt had been carrying after the quakes.

News of the increase, and its timing, have been met with anger and disbelief by Christchurch residents when so many have lost their homes and livelihoods.

About 40 ratepayers, some carrying placards and shouting for justice, went to the city council offices on Wednesday to express their views about the pay rise.

Ratepayer Pamela Nunn said it showed "blatant disrespect" to the people of Christchurch.

"This just makes us all sick that the people we voted for would do this. It just feels like a slap in the face."

Mr Marryatt is holidaying overseas, and Mr Parker is in the North Island with his family, so it fell to Christchurch Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button to try to explain the pay rise.

She said she could understand the global outcry over large salaries paid to some when others were in hardship.

"As a city, going into the rebuild we need the best people we can get to do the job. To get a good chief executive we have to be prepared to pay a competitive rate," she said.

City councillor Yani Johanson, who voted against the pay increase, said Mr Marryatt's rise sent a "very poor signal to our community as to where our values and morals are as a city".

- Jarrod Booker

 

 

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