Long-serving Waitakere City Council chief executive Harry O'Rourke received $743,268 when he retired from the council in March this year.
The Herald has obtained a draft copy of the council's annual report which shows Mr O'Rourke's payout was made up of $667,970 in salary, back pay, long serviceand accrued holiday entitlements.
Mr O'Rourke, who has worked at various West Auckland councils for more than 30 years, also received $75,298 in extra benefits, including a motor vehicle, medical insurance, superannuation subsidy and a performance bonus of $20,000.
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey acknowledged the payout was a large sum, but said it did not include anything above what he was entitled to. The council's performance review committee referred the package to the Office of Auditor-General, which ticked it off, he said.
When the Herald surveyed the remuneration packages of the eight council chief executives in Auckland last year, Mr O'Rourke came out top with a package of $403,357.
Auckland City chief executive David Rankin, who oversees the largest council in New Zealand, was second with a package of $387,000.
Mr Harvey said it was his understanding from council staff that Mr O'Rourke's salary was in the mid-band and it was not until he left it became apparent that was not the case.
"I'm not happy that we have to be told that he is the highest [paid chief executive] in Auckland," Mr Harvey said.
At the time of his retirement, Mr Harvey described Mr O'Rourke as the epitome of the public service ethos.
He said Mr O'Rourke had "a keen sense of operational expertise, married with strategic thinking, that has helped this city move forward dramatically".
THE FULL PACKAGE * Ordinary pay - $292,510
* Back pay - $12,500
* Long service - $37,365
* Holiday pay - $325,595
* Vehicle - $13,656
* Medical insurance - $7217
* Super subsidy - $34,425
* Performance bonus - $20,000
* Total - $743,268
Relates to the nine months from July 2007 to March 28, 2008
