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Kavinda Herath / Things
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins
The mayors of Otago promised to donate a portion of their salaries to charities affected by Covid-19.
But did they?
The six-month commitment was made at the Otago Mayors Forum, which included then-Otago Regional Council President Marian Hobbs.
Hobbs, who was removed as president in July, is still making her donations, which support Life Matters in Dunedin and Happiness House in Queenstown. The annual salary for a council president is $ 136,889, while the base salary for a council member is $ 51,231.
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Joe Johnson / Stuff
Marian Hobbs is still donating part of her salary, even though she is no longer president of the Otago Regional Council.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins earns $ 160,699 a year as Dunedin Mayor.
He said he had donated a little more than 10 percent of his after-tax income during the six-month period. That amount was divided between Refugio de Mujeres and the PSO Food Bank.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult (who makes $ 121,386 a year) said he gave his donation to the Salvation Army Wakatipu, while Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher ($ 106,060) said he was almost done donating but still I had “one more I want to give”.
“What has been given has satisfied the Compensation Authority, who determined that no additional reduction was justified, although I will still fulfill the commitment I made,” Kircher said.
Kavinda Herath / Things
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult donated part of his salary to the Salvation Army Wakatipu.
He donated to organizations that helped people negatively affected by Covid-19, or who were themselves affected by the pandemic.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan (who makes $ 99,990 a year) confirmed that his donation went to the Central Otago Salvation Army Food Bank.
“The Salvation Army greatly appreciates this donation, which can be used to support our community,” said Community Ministries Coordinator Bess Carbines.
Jo McKenzie-McLean / Stuff
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan made donations to the Central Otago Salvation Army Food Bank.
Further south, his brother, Bryan Cadogan, who is Mayor of the Clutha District and earns $ 110,000 a year, distributed his donation through the Clutha District Fund.
Until now, the fund had assisted the Clutha and Gore Women’s Shelter, South Otago Health Support Fund, Anglican Family Care, and Clutha Budget Advice.
In March, then-Dunedin council CEO Dr. Sue Bidrose, who left for a new job with AgResearch in July, received a 15 percent cut over the next six months, saving taxpayers $ 33,300.
The Compensation Authority announced that the pay rates for elected officials will remain unchanged for the 2020-21 financial year.
