Pay for it yourself

Stuff reports:

Sir Tim Shadbolt wants a statue of himself put up in Invercargill, as a tribute to his 26 years as mayor of the city – but the current mayor has rejected the idea of a ratepayer-funded statue.

As he should.

Shadbolt said no-one would be comfortable advocating for a statue of themselves, but his initial, embarrassed hesitance had been overcome by people around him being adamant it was the most appropriate form of tribute.

If so many people are adamant about it, they should fund it themselves. Someone could set up a crowdfunding appeal. But no way should ratepayers be forced to pay.

Alternatively, Shadbolt got paid $140,000 a year for the last 26 years as Mayor, so he could pay for it himself.