Waikato Regional Council's two leaders have followed the lead of Government bosses and will take a 20 per cent cut.
Waikato Regional Council chief executive Vaughan Payne and chairman Russ Rimmington will immediately reduce their salaries for six months as the affects of Covid-19 take a toll on the economy.
Payne will donate 20 per cent of his $352,445 salary ($22,880 after tax) to his children's school Fraiser High School as he believes there is a big need there and 20 per cent of Rimmington's $157,410 salary ($10,200 after tax) will go to the Waikato Community Trust who will administer it to those with the biggest need.
"This country is going to go - whether we like it or not - towards a depression situation - and people need money in their hand," Rimmington said.
He said it was better to go towards people who really needed it and not projects.