Latest / Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Ryan Bridge: Wellington's endless spending on pen-pushers and reviews
You can't escape bureaucrats in Wellington; it's an occupational hazard.
Despite the bad press they get, they're not all useless. But it depends on how you use them, and how often.
Take the Golden Mile disaster in Wellington, as just one example.
The council agrees to a project it can't afford. Expensive. Crazy. Ratepayers revolt. The cost blows out from $160m to $220m. The blowout is $60m - or 30 disco toilets in Wellington dollars.
A new Mayor comes in. A review is ordered.
Then enter the reviewers: a nine-person panel, supposedly independent.
The review is costing $400k, which is at least…
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