Councillor expenses and code of conduct

Skip to main content Go to list of access keys Go to site index Go to contact us page Go to New Zealand government site

Councillor expenses and code of conduct

Councillor's expenses

The Council’s expenses policy for elected members, as approved by the Remuneration Authority, follows:

General Principle

The Council reimburses actual and reasonable costs. Expenditures must relate to items in the Expenses Policy and full receipts are always required.

Transport

Mileage

Mileage payments are made for travel exceeding 30km daily, including meetings and civic events which Councillors are required to attend. This rate is currently set at 70 cents per km.

Conferences / Seminars and Training

If attendance is approved by Council then registration, travel, accommodation and expenses will be covered by the Council.

Travel away

Travel costs when attending conferences (for example, flights, mileage, taxis or transfers, or rental car as appropriate) are reimbursed upon presentation of receipts.

Councillors who decide to travel significant distances by road instead of by air (for example, to Christchurch), will receive cost reimbursement at the level of the cheapest available flight, rather than the kilometre reimbursement.

Accommodation

Actual and reasonable costs for accommodation when attending out of town conferences are reimbursed

Food

Meals when attending out of town conference, meetings or training and meals for meetings held in Nelson are reimbursed.

For meetings which continue through meal times, the Council will provide lunch or dinner as appropriate.

Entertainment and hospitality

Allowances are not payable but expenses will be reimbursed upon actual and reasonable receipts being presented and having been given prior approval by the Chief Executive or Council.

Communications and technology

A payment of $750 per year is made to Councillors for communication expenses.

Code of Conduct for Councillors

The Code of Conduct sets out principles of good conduct and standards of behaviour for the elected members and also the relationship between the elected members and the public. Councillors have agreed to abide by these principles and standards when carrying out their roles and functions as elected community representatives.

Download the 2010 Code of Conduct (144KB PDF)

[1065205]