777 international flights for climate emergency councils!

Andrea Vance reports:

Councils declaring a climate emergency have collectively spent more than $1.26 million on international flights — racking up 777 trips, many to Europe and Asia.

Auckland Council leads the pack, spending $354,928.78 on 128 flights.

Trips included attending the C40 Waste Resources Network Meeting, the C40 World Mayors Summit, overseas “compliance audits,” and financing-related meetings. Officials also travelled to London, Singapore, and North America for debt issuance talks and climate engagement forums.

Queenstown Lakes District Council was the second-highest spender, shelling out $182,098 on international flights for staff and elected members between July 2019 and July 2024. …

Greater Wellington Regional Council made the most trips, clocking 208 journeys and spending $120,998.01 on flights, hotels, and car rentals between September 2019 and August 2024.

The hypocrisy of the Councillors. Every single Cr who piously voted that the Council declare a climate emergency should resign in disgrace.

Unless by their vote they meant that it was only an emergency for everyone but themselves, and in no way could they possibly have less international travel for their council.

777 international flights!