Tauranga ratepayers cover $1.2m legal bill for Mt Maunganui landslide

nzherald.co.nz

Tauranga ratepayers are covering a $1.2 million legal bill from the Mount Maunganui landslide after the city council directly appointed a law firm without a competitive tender process. The council said Meredith Connell was selected due to urgency and its national experience with natural hazard events, with the firm invoicing $1,176,598.83 excluding GST to date. The council received discounts worth nearly $174,000 but declined to disclose hourly rates. Partner Nathan Speir, who has worked with the council since about 2014, was involved in the matter. Meredith Connell has also assisted Auckland Council and Hastings District Council following similar severe weather events.


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