There is a letter from David Webber, former Chairman of the Kapiti Economic Leadership Group, in the latest issue of the Kapiti News about it.

A response to an Official Information request reveals that the KCDC got Colmar Brunton to do a brief “consumer survey” and TDB to do an “economic analysis” at a combined cost of over $66,000

It reveals that TDB found that “an airline service from Kapiti would provide no measurable net benefit to the local business community” which is the exact opposite of what the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce have since claimed was the major reason for the donation.

Should it surprise anyone that the council squandered over $66,000 like this, and in the announcements by its endless ‘spin’ machine omitted to mention it?

No.

Will the council continue to behave like this?

Yes — unless the present councilors are replaced next year by new responsible people determined to change that.