Waikato District Council CE Gavin Ion said he would take the 20 per cent pay cut because he felt the pain of his community. A Waikato council boss will take a 20 per cent pay cut following the example set by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. He said the pay cut would have an impact on his livelihood and family but he was comfortable with the decision he had made. "Rather than taking a pay cut, and getting lost in the organisation, I'm putting it [money] into a staff hardship fund." Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said she would "absolutely" take a pay cut, but only after the remuneration authority deemed if and how much, was appropriate.

Source: Stuff April 15, 2020 07:30 UTC