In a political reversal of three years ago, left-leaning councillors have pocketed the biggest pay packets on the Auckland City Council.
In the past year planning chairwomen Glenda Fryer and Faye Storer each earned more than $90,000 after being shut out of the big-paying jobs by Mayor JohnBanks and Citizens & Ratepayers in the previous council.
Independent councillor Bill Christian, who gave Mr Banks his vote last term and earned $99,434 in 2004, has taken home $61,873 this year.
Mayor Dick Hubbard got paid a salary of $157,233 and deputy Dr Bruce Hucker was paid $84,179.
City Vision's Ms Fryer and independent Ms Storer earned more than Dr Hucker for chairing a major committee and extra income from working as planning commissioners.
Mr Banks and C&R have agreed with a recommendation from council chief executive David Rankin to stop councillors sitting on all consent hearings.
Mr Rankin believes councillors should stick to developing policy on resource management issues and leave the implementation to independent commissioners.
He has recommended paying councillors for developing policy on things like the district plan and bylaws in lieu of lost income from consent hearings.
The council's annual report shows Mr Rankin's salary in the past year has risen from $367,000 to $387,000.
