Waka Kotahi issues nearly $250k in bonuses to staff

Waka Kotahi has reportedly given its staff over a quarter of a million dollars in bonuses, with much of the money going to higher-paid employees.

The transport agency paid out $246,000 to 135 staff at the end of this financial year in May, reports RNZ. Most of them are on salaries between $100,000 and $150,000.

About a quarter of the bonuses were given to those who make less than $100,000 at Waka Kotahi.

One member of staff on more than $240,000 a year was given a $3000 bonus, while eighteen bonuses went to those earning between $149,000 to $215,000.

The agency says an increasing number of people are joining its “higher bands” due to its need to employ those with specialist skills to meet government and public expectations.

“Waka Kotahi does not pay staff bonuses,” the agency stated, via RNZ. Instead, it prefers to call them “recognition payments”.

And yet, reports continue to roll in about the sorry state of our roads, especially when it comes to potholes.

A record number of pothole complaints were recorded in 2022 according to Waka Kotahi, stating that it received 555 reports of damage to people’s vehicles in the first ten months of last year.