Our View: Frivolous spending must be slashed

While it is concerning 11 regional council representatives were caught up in the two quakes that struck Christchurch this week, it is also concerning they were there in the first place.
This newspaper yesterday reported the Tauranga-based chairman of Bay of Plenty Regional Council John Cronin was hurt in the second of Monday's quakes.
He was one of 11 regional council representatives who flew to and from Christchurch on Monday at a ratepayer cost of $7200.
They attended a powhiri to hand over former Bay of Plenty chief executive Bill Bayfield to local iwi Ngai Tahu in his role as Environment Canterbury's new chief executive.
We must be thankful Mr Cronin only received a bruise to his leg and that no other locals were hurt. But was it necessary to send that many people to the powhiri?
Maori protocol required representatives from Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatane to attend. Also on the guest list with Mr Cronin was, understandably, the council's acting chief executive Mary-Anne Macleod.
But on top of this, three councillors, the group manager technology and economic development, the Maori policy manager and a Maori policy adviser also attended. Why was it so essential so many people attended?
Mr Cronin says the powhiri was an important cultural event that symbolised the mana Mr Bayfield had with iwi in the Bay of Plenty and was also a sign of respect to the officials and staff who were receiving him.
As the only region to have dedicated Maori seats, the Bay of Plenty is seen as a leader in bi-cultural governance and as such must respect cultural protocols.
But at the same time, our elected leaders must respect that our economy is in a recession and exercise sensible restraint when spending ratepayer money. Many others are having to make sacrifices.
Tauranga residents were this week spared any further rates rises after the regional council told the Bay of Plenty Times rates were expected to increase by less than a dollar this year for an average Tauranga property. The reason for the zero increase was a reduction in the region's public transport targeted rate for the city.
Similarly, Western Bay of Plenty District Council ratepayers' regional general rate will increase by only $10.50 this year. But Tauranga residents still face a hefty 10.4 per cent general rates rise - a sum many cannot afford in tough economic times.
Every effort is needed to reduce rates rises and unnecessary spending. Elected leaders need to show public accountability with ratepayer money.