Mt Maunganui landslide: Ratepayers cover $1.2m council legal bill

Tauranga ratepayers are covering a $1.2 million legal bill after the city council directly appointed a law firm just four days after the fatal Mt Maunganui landslide that killed six people. The council selected Meredith Connell on January 26, citing urgency and the firm's national capability and experience with natural hazard events. The firm has invoiced $1,176,598.83 excluding GST, though it provided discounts of nearly $174,000. The council declined to disclose hourly rates but confirmed partner Nathan Spier, who has worked with the council since 2014, was involved. Meredith Connell is an existing panel firm that has also assisted Auckland Council and Hastings District Council after similar disasters.