November 20, 2024 7:00am by David Farrar

The $1.3 million Christmas tree

A million-dollar Christmas tree is going up in downtown Auckland, leaving some baulking at the council’s spending while its residents struggle through a cost-of-living crisis.

Auckland Council hasn’t revealed the price of the 18m steel tree, set to stand in Te Komititanga Square (formerly Elizabeth Square) on lower Queen Street. However, the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance says it costs up to $1.3 million.

Auckland Council is stumping up $800,000 for the tree.

Private organisations Heart of the City, the central city’s business association, and Precinct Properties, a major landholder and developer, are funding the rest.

Heart of the City is 98% funded by Auckland Council, so actually it is ratepayers funding almost the entire $1.3 million.

I’m in favour of council funded Christmas trees, just as I’m also in favour of ratepayer funded steps to access a beach. However that doesn’t mean it is a good idea at any price.

Just like the $1.2 million for steps down to a New Plymouth beach is outrageous, so is a $1.3 million Christmas tree – especially as other Councils manage it for a few thousand dollars.