The government has appointed a crown observer today to oversee work taking place within the Christchurch City Council  in an effort to get the troubled organisation back to normal.

The CEO, Tony Marryatt announced that he would decline a $68,000 pay rise after previously explaining he had earned the increase in pay. There was an uproar from locals who protested outside the council buildings disgusted with the fact that he was happy to pay himself more when there were many people homeless.

After the meeting, Smith announced the Government had decided to appoint former Local Government New Zealand chairman Kerry Marshall as a Crown observer to assist the council.  Kerry Marshalls job is to advise Mayor Bob Parker and CEO Tony Marryatt and report back to Smith when required.