PRESS RELEASE JUST IN FROM THE NEW ZEALAND TAXPAYERS' UNION: 
Oranga Tamariki Dropping $1.97m A Year on 14 Comms Staffers

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has revealed, through an Official Information Act request, that Oranga Tamariki is burning through $1.97 million a year on salaries for a 14-person communications team.

Every single one of these staffers is paid a salary in excess of $100,000.

The team includes media advisors, senior comms managers, and an organisational communications manager.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Co-ordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Oranga Tamariki is drowning in PR while kids fall through the cracks.

"Nearly $2 million a year on spin doctors, each on over $100k, is funding that's not going to social workers, caregivers, or kids in crisis.

“This isn’t about informing the public, it’s about controlling the narrative. Taxpayers aren’t funding care, they’re funding damage control.

“A bloated comms team paid at least 30 percent more each than the median wage would be bad enough in a company, but in a government agency meant to protect vulnerable children, it’s obscene.

“A return to 2017 public service numbers is the only way to stop the Wellington bloat. It was good enough for John Key and Bill English; it’s time for Luxon and Willis to follow their lead.” 

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