BurgerFuel and council scolded for Upper Hutt initiative

“This is possibly the most ridiculous example of corporate welfare we’ve seen yet. You work hard, you pay your rates and Upper Hutt City spends it on a burger joint,” Taxpayers’ Union executive director Jordan Williams says.

“Sucking money out of a community to spend it on a favoured business isn’t economic development, it’s robbing the poor to pay the rich. Money that would have been spent by citizens has been funnelled into the pockets of BurgerFuel’s investors."

In a press release, the council says the incentive is part of a scheme aimed at encouraging new business into the city.

Businesses that want to set up in the city can apply for a “package,” which can include grant funding, as well as discounts and, in some cases, cost waivers on council services.