Massey vice-chancellor takes cut to $500,000-plus

Massey University vice-chancellor Steve Maharey and MidCentral District Health Board chief Murray Georgel took pay cuts in the past year, but still earned more than half a million dollars each.

State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie yesterday issued the annual report on how much state sector bosses earn.

They showed that Mr Maharey, the former Cabinet minister and MP for Palmerston North, received between $520,000 and $529,000 in the 2011-12 year, down from $530,000 to $539,999 the previous year.

Mr Georgel's salary was $500,000 to $509,999, down from $520,000 to $529,999.

The highest-paid chief executive was Foreign Affairs' John Allen, who was paid $620,000 to $629,999 - well up on the $580,000 to $589,999 he was previously earning. Allen has come under intense scrutiny this year over restructuring at the ministry which has resulted in the entitlements of some diplomats being slashed and scores of staff laid off.

Among others to receive a pay rise was Housing New Zealand chief executive Lesley McTurk, who went from $460,000 to $469,999 last year up to $480,000 to $489,999 this year.

Culture and Heritage Ministry boss Lewis Holden climbed from $330,000 to $339,999 last year up to $350,000 to $359,999.

- © Fairfax NZ News