Flash Harris cruises in $70,000 leased council car

The 2011 Citroen C5. Photo / Supplied

Waikato local government bosses couldn't be blamed for a touch of car envy when Hamilton City Council chief executive Barry Harris rolls up to meetings in his new $70,000 Citroen 5.

His European premium model dwarfs Waikato Regional Council chief executive Bob Laing's 2008 Suzuki Vitara, valued at $35,546, and makes Waitomo District Council chief executive Chris Ryan's 2008 Mitsubishi sedan, valued at $16,000, look like a poor and distant relation.

A Herald inquiry into what council bosses drive shows it can be anything from a late-model European Citroen 5 to their own private cars.

The Hamilton City Council unusually favours European models - mayor Julie Hardaker travels in a Volkswagen Passat 2010 valued at $58,148.06.

The city council is also the only Waikato council which leases, rather than buying, cars for its executives.

Otorohanga and Waitomo district councils take the cake for being the most thrifty when it comes to cars for their bosses.

Mayors Dale Williams and Brian Hanna drive their own.

Their chief executives are equally money conscious - Dave Clibbery and Chris Ryan drive around in cars worth $15,000 and $16,000 respectively.

Two mayors - Matamata-Piako's Hugh Vercoe and Waipa's Alan Livingston - drive Holden Calais.

However, Mr Vercoe has the more premium model valued at $62,979.

South Waikato District Council mayor Neil Sinclair takes the prize for the cheapest mayoral car owned by a council - a Hyundai Sonata valued at $38,130.

Mr Sinclair said it was good enough for him and met all his safety requirements.

"I'm perfectly happy with my car ... when it's due to be replaced I can't see any reason why I wouldn't replace it with the same thing."

The councils generally renew the cars every three years, with the mayoral turnover coinciding with elections.

Turners Car Auctions chief operating officer Todd Hunter said private companies generally spent $50,000 to $70,000 on vehicles for senior managers, but in some cases it could be up to $90,000.

Mr Hunter, whose company sells cars and supplies several leasing companies, said the choice between leasing and buying came down to the use of funds and whether clients wanted to spend the capital upfront.

As companies tightened their belts, they were also choosing to hold onto cars for four to five years rather than upgrading them every three to four years.