Queenstown Lakes council's Mike Theelen gets big pay jump as rates soar
Queenstown Lakes council's Mike Theelen gets big pay jump as rates soar
As ratepayers open their bills to find 14.5% rises, the chief executive's salary climbs to $415K
Sure, let’s give the council CEO a raise after raising rates by 14.5%.
Unpopular opinion, but the RBNZ calculator says from Q2 2022 to Q2 2023 wage inflation was 8%. The guy just got an 8% pay rise. So this is saying that his new salary is equivalent to what he was paid a year ago.
I get that the fact he is paid almost as much as the Prime Minister is a bit crazy, but I'm a bit biased because it's Queenstown. I kinda expect a CEO salary to be in charge of a rich people tourist destination.
Yes but I’d argue that having to ask for an average of 14.5% rate rise would indicate that the council isn’t running well. Most corporate companies in the same position where they have to ask their shareholders for more money wouldn’t in the same breathe also ask them to give the CEO a pay rise/re-alignment.
Yes, very good point. If I was paying those rates I'd for sure be asking where that money is going.