The legality of a secret Wellington City Council meeting which approved the use of ratepayers' money to underwrite the New Zealand Open golf tournament has been challenged by a former councillor.
But Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said that in spite of claims by ex-councillor Jack Ruben, the council was justified,
with Kapiti Coast District Council, in providing limited liability of a total of $279,000 for the tournament.
Wellington City pledged $234,000 and Kapiti Coast $45,000 after the organisers said that, without underwriter support, the event would be cancelled.
Mr Ruben, who was a councillor between 1996 and 1998, said yesterday that he was a keen golfer, but the council should not be using public money to underwrite commercial ventures.
