Mt Maunganui landslide: Ratepayers pick up $1.2m tab for council's legal bill
Following a deadly landslide in Mt Maunganui that killed six people, Tauranga City Council appointed the law firm Meredith Connell to handle the legal aftermath. The council justified the choice by citing the firm's national capabilities and prior experience with disaster-related legal matters. To date, Meredith Connell has billed the council over $1.17 million for their services, though the exact hourly rates remain undisclosed. The firm's partner Nathan Spier, who has worked with the council since 2014, played a significant role in the engagement decision. The council emphasized that Meredith Connell has previously assisted other local governments during major weather events.
Tauranga City Council has confirmed that ratepayers will cover a $1.2 million legal bill incurred after the deadly Mt Maunganui landslide last year. The cost includes fees paid to law firm Meredith Connell, which was appointed shortly after the disaster struck on 30 January, killing six people. The victims included Lisa Maclennan, Susan Knowles, Jacqualine Wheeler, Måns Loke Bernhardsson, Sharon Maccanico, and Max Furse-Kee. The council acknowledged the appointment of Meredith Connell came just four days after the landslide occurred. In response to a Local Government Official Information Act request, the council stated that the firm was selected based on recommendations from its elected members and chief executive. The decision was influenced by the need for urgent legal assistance amid multiple ongoing investigations and inquiries stemming from the tragedy. According to the council, Meredith Connell was chosen due to their national reach and recent experience managing legal responses to natural disasters. The firm was specifically noted for its ability to handle all legal aspects related to the Mauao Landslide. As of now, the firm has billed Tauranga City Council $1,176,598.83 before tax for all legal work conducted so far. Additionally, the council mentioned that Meredith Connell had offered discounts amounting to nearly $174,000. Despite the substantial financial burden placed on local taxpayers, the council did not reveal the specific hourly rates charged by the firm. However, it disclosed that one of the lawyers working on the case was Nathan Spier, a partner at Meredith Connell who has been providing services to the council since approximately 2014. His prior professional relationship with the council, along with his deep understanding of its operations, played a role in the decision to hire the firm. Meredith Connell is described as an established panel law firm for Tauranga City Council, having previously supported other regional authorities through similar crises. For instance, the firm aided Auckland Council during the aftermath of the Auckland Anniversary Floods and worked with Hastings District Council following Cyclone Gabrielle. Their involvement in the current situation spans several areas, including rapid document reviews, strategic legal counsel, the Paul Davison KC independent review, WorkSafe investigations, coronial inquiries, government inquiries, further document reviews, and organizational risk assessments. The council’s decision to retain Meredith Connell has drawn criticism from some residents, who view the expenditure as a misuse of public funds. Critics argue that the selection process lacked transparency and that the high costs could have been avoided with more competitive bidding. Nonetheless, the council maintains that the choice was necessary to ensure comprehensive legal support across all facets of the post-disaster response. The legal team at Meredith Connell continues to play a central role in navigating the complex web of responsibilities and liabilities associated with the landslide. Their efforts include ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, managing potential litigation, and supporting internal reviews aimed at improving future preparedness and response strategies. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on addressing the immediate needs of the affected families while also examining broader systemic issues related to land management and disaster preparedness. The outcome of these legal actions could influence how similar incidents are handled in the future, potentially shaping policies and practices across New Zealand’s local government sector.
Following a deadly landslide in Mt Maunganui that killed six people, Tauranga City Council appointed the law firm Meredith Connell to handle the legal aftermath. The council justified the choice by citing the firm's national capabilities and prior experience with disaster-related legal matters. To date, Meredith Connell has billed the council over $1.17 million for their services, though the exact hourly rates remain undisclosed. The firm's partner Nathan Spier, who has worked with the council since 2014, played a significant role in the engagement decision. The council emphasized that Meredith Connell has previously assisted other local governments during major weather events.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the council's legal expenses and the selection process for the law firm. While the financial implications are discussed, there is no overt ideological framing or emphasis on partisan perspectives. The focus remains on administrative decisions and legal-
Why factuality (90): The article provides specific details about the $1.2 million legal bill, the selection of Meredith Connell as the law firm, and the timeline of events including the date of the landslide and the names of the victims. These facts align with the cross-source consensus, though some minor details like t
Why objectivity (75): The article uses phrases such as 'cherry-picked' which implies bias or criticism toward the council's decision-making process. While it presents information objectively, the choice of wording suggests a certain perspective rather than strictly neutral reporting.
The article reports on the release of cost details for a Tauranga landslide investigation, which was described by some as a 'waste of money.' The report outlines the financial implications of the study, which aimed to assess the impact of the landslide on local infrastructure and safety. While the findings highlight significant expenditures, critics argue that the resources could have been better allocated elsewhere. The article does not provide specific figures but emphasizes the controversy surrounding the decision to fund the report.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the criticism of the report as a broader critique of resource allocation, suggesting that public funds were misused. The use of the phrase 'waste of money' implies a negative judgment toward the spending, aligning with left-leaning critiques of government expenditure. There is no
Why factuality (55): The article uses the phrase 'waste of money' which suggests a negative judgment about the cost of the landslide report, but no primary source document was available for verification. The claim appears to be based on an opinion rather than verified facts. Factually, it lacks supporting evidence from
Why objectivity (60): The article frames the topic with a critical tone ('waste of money'), suggesting a biased perspective. While not overtly partisan, the phrasing leans toward skepticism without presenting alternative viewpoints or context.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
progressive
center
conservative
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.
NZ
