Facebook page opposing CEO's pay rise

A Facebook page has been set up by angry Christchurch ratepayers to oppose a pay rise of almost $70,000 a year for the city council's chief executive. File photo

A Facebook page has been set up by angry Christchurch ratepayers to oppose a pay rise of almost $70,000 a year for the city council's chief executive.

Tony Marryatt stands to gain an extra $68,129 from the salary increase narrowly approved last week by the council - taking his total salary to $538,529 a year.

News of the increase, and its timing, has been met with anger and disbelief by Christchurch residents when so many have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the earthquakes that have hit the city.

The Facebook page 'No Pay Rise for Tony Marryatt' - which had 43 members as of midday today - has appeared after about forty people entered the city council offices this week to protest the increase.

Ratepayer Pamela Nunn said it showed "blatant disrespect" to the people of Christchurch.

"This just makes us all sick that the people we voted for would do this. It just feels like a slap in the face."

Protest organiser Peter Lynch warned that if Mr Marryatt did not turn down the pay increase, the protest at the council offices would be only the beginning.

"The days are over that the council can just recklessly spend our money."

Mr Marryatt is holidaying overseas, but Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who voted in favour of his pay increase, argues it is in line with the pay of other chief executives in similar positions, and recognises the heavy responsibility Mr Marryatt has been carrying after the quakes.

Christchurch Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button said she could understand the global outcry over large salaries paid to some when others were in hardship but "I don't think Christchurch is the place, and I don't think now is the time, for us as a city ... to try to fix up those social injustices".

"As a city, going into the rebuild we need the best people we can get to do the job. To get a good chief executive we have to be prepared to pay a competitive rate."

City councillor Yani Johanson, who voted against the pay increase, said Mr Marryatt's rise sent a "very poor signal to our community as to where our values and morals are as a city".