North Shore mayor defends credit card bill

North Shore mayor Andrew Williams is dismissing criticism of his council credit card spending, calling it trivia.

His Mastercard bills in the past 12 months have come to just under $9,000.

Much of it has been spent in restaurants and bars.

But the mayor says the figure should be taken in context. Mr Williams says he is running the fourth largest city in the country, with a budget of $350 million a year.

Delegations often visit the city, and it is necessary to host them at business lunches and dinners.

Mr Williams believes the Press Council should look at some of the media reporting about him. He says it is often inaccurate, and starting to feel like a vendetta.

- NEWSTALK ZB