The new mayor of Christchurch says the council is going to crack down on staff who spend public money on entertainment and expenses.
The spending records of city council staff show more than 25% of the 2800 staff have a Purchase Card, allowing them to use ratepayer money for food, drinks, entertainment and travel.
The mayor, Lianne Dalziel, says she was shocked to see how excessive staff have been in the past.
She says the spending policy will be rewritten as soon as possible to make it crystal clear that only genuine business expenses can be charged to the ratepayer.
"We have a responsibility - it's a responsibility of trust."
Ms Dalziel says some of the spending by the city council would never have been allowed by central government.
