Porirua Council Celebrates Inauguration for Less Than $8,000

In a striking contrast to its neighbour, the Porirua City Council is hosting its swearing-in ceremony for a fraction of the cost incurred by the Wellington City Council. The Porirua event, taking place on March 15, 2024, is estimated to cost around $8,000, significantly lower than the $36,599 bill from Wellington’s recent inaugural meeting.

Wellington’s ceremony, held at Pipitea Marae, garnered attention for its extravagance. Guests were treated to an array of gourmet offerings, including a catering bill of $9,360 and an additional $11,548.26 spent on audio-visual equipment. This lavish event even included floral arrangements valued at $3,500. In contrast, Porirua’s celebration focuses on simplicity, as described by Mayor Anita Baker.

Focus on Community Over Extravagance

Baker emphasized that the Porirua event would be more of a formal gathering than a grand celebration. The swearing-in will take place in the atrium of Pataka Art + Museum, where the on-site café, Kaizen, is expected to provide modest refreshments such as sausage rolls and beverages. “It’s just a meeting… merely the formalities,” Baker stated, highlighting the straightforward nature of the occasion.

Each of the ten newly elected councillors has the opportunity to invite up to ten guests, though Baker anticipated that not all would do so. The event will also see attendance from local dignitaries, including the police chief and two local MPs, as well as representatives from the Pacific community.

Baker provided an itemized estimate of costs, which includes $1,549 for photography and livestreaming services, essential for council meetings, and $1,641.50 for venue hire. Other expenses feature $3,438.50 for catering, $513.53 for advertising, $307.40 for security, and $150 for a community contribution post-event. Costs for a signing interpreter remain pending.

A Balancing Act for Local Governance

The notable difference of $28,600 between the two ceremonies prompted remarks from Geoff Hawyard, a second-term councillor participating in the swearing-in. He acknowledged the importance of celebrating community members while also advocating for fiscal responsibility. “In Porirua, we know it’s important to hakari those who have come from our community for this occasion, but it’s a balancing act not to be irresponsible, or seen to be,” he commented.

While Wellington Mayor Andrew Little declined to comment on the spending, Baker’s transparency regarding Porirua’s costs reflects a commitment to prudent governance. The stark contrast in expenditures underscores differing approaches to local government celebrations, with Porirua prioritizing community engagement over extravagance.