Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Protest at pay rise in Kapiti

Updated at 1:41 pm on 7 February 2012

Three hundred Kapiti residents protested in Paraparaumu on Tuesday against a $44,000 pay rise for the chief executive of the Kapiti Coast District Council.

Organiser Murray Cooper says Pat Dougherty has underperformed with costs from major projects blowing out and residents are demanding he step down.

Mr Cooper is also asking Local Government Minister Nick Smith to appoint a Crown observer to the council.

Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan says that is an offensive notion. She says Mr Dougherty is the best chief executive the region has seen in years and deserves the pay rise.

Mrs Rowan says she will try to meet Mr Cooper this week to discuss the issue.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand