Have you ever wondered what our elected representatives are paid and who decides what they should earn? 

Queenstown Lakes District Council councillors signed off on remuneration rates for current elected members at a council meeting earlier this month.

They approved annual remuneration of $56,308 for deputy mayor Quentin Smith; $52,675 for the councillors who serve as committee chairs, $45,410 for the remaining councillors.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith earns $56,308. PHOTO: QLDC

Remuneration is set by the Remuneration Authority on an annual basis but councils can make some decisions regarding how the remuneration pool for each of the above positions - in this case with a total of $532,201 - is allocated.

The amount in the authority’s pool of money is decided by several factors, including the size of the district’s governance role, operating expenditure, and asset values, its population, and how much time they estimate an elected representative will spend on the job.

The local council doesn’t have any discretion to pay elected members less than the total pool, and must pay more than a set minimum ($40,710) for each councillor.

The pay for the mayor, Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) chair and WUCCB members is also set entirely by the authority.

Mayor Glyn Lewers earns $143,734. PHOTO: QLDC

It has assigned annual remuneration of $143,734 for mayor Glyn Lewers, $24,659 for Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) chair Simon Telfer and $12,329 for WUCCB members.

WUCCB members each make $12,329, while the chair Simon Telfer earns $24,659. PHOTO: QLDC

Pay for other senior roles - like the chief executive - is not set by the remuneration authority.

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen received a pay rise, following a standard annual review, in August last year, which brought his salary to $383,814.