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Manukau City Council presents a clear example of why we have a Royal Commission examining our region's governance and the operations of territorial councils within it.

Figures I've obtained from the council show that between the year 2000 and 2007 full time equivalent staff numbers rose from 872 to 1075 and total salaries from $37.6 million to $64.7 million. This means that over a period when staff numbers rose by some 20 percent total wages and salaries went up by about 80 percent.

Even allowing for an annual average rate of wage and salary increases around five percent plus the increase in staff numbers this jump in outgoings which has to be paid by Manukau ratepayers is highly questionable Manukau is not along in foisting ever increasing burdens on its ratepayers. Other councils in the Auckland region have been equally self-indulgent on staffing and wage and salaries front. It means the Royal Commission is facing a situation in which the people of our region are demanding that the outcome of its deliberations must be a lowering of rates and costs. Any other outcome will be unacceptable.

I expect Manukau City Councillors to take this on board. They can have a look, for example, at the high cost of consultants. In the year to 1 July, 2007, the cost of 20 consultancy organisations to the council was in excess of $1 million. On top of this we're looking at spending of $21.4 million on refurbishment of the Manukau City Council's five sites in the Manukau CBD. Among the requirements are an upgrading of the Mayoral and Chief Executive's suites. The cost of the fit-out isn't available.

There would appear a case for the Council to have a long hard look at this expenditure. There's no spare money around within our local communities. Families in Manurewa are hard pressed to make ends meet. It is a time for belt tightening and the Council isn't immune from this need.

Within Manurewa we are looking for evidence that our council takes the need for prudence in expenditure very seriously, just as we are looking to the Royal Commission to deliver a better deal that means lower rates and lower costs of services. - ends

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