Southland Councils Paid Out $599,468 In Severance

Southland's councils paid out close to $600,000 in severance in the year ended June 2026 — up almost 50% on the previous year.

Freshly released annual reports show the total paid by the region's councils was $599,468, up from $408,372 in the previous financial year. Ten payments were made this year, compared to 18 last year.

Environment Southland led with $346,037, all of it a single golden handshake paid to former chief executive Wilma Falconer, who finished in the role in August 2025 after more than three years. The council confirmed she retired and received a payout but declined to comment further on the details.

On top of the six-figure severance, Falconer was paid $54,741 in accrued leave and $7,534 for a fringe benefit tax associated with her work car. She was also allowed to keep the car, which had a market value of $8,990.

Details of the payment only came to light in the council's most recent annual report. Under the Local Government Act 2002, chief executives must be named in annual reports. All other severance recipients in the region were unnamed.

Invercargill City Council paid out $212,100 across seven payments ranging from $5,025 to $99,059. Southland District Council paid $41,331 across two payments. Gore District Council made no severance payments.

At Dunedin City Council, in Otago, the annual report showed nine severance payments totalling $423,689.

On the broader financial results, Environment Southland posted a $9.4 million surplus for the year. Southland District Council posted a $0.2 million surplus. Gore District Council recorded a $2.5 million deficit, and Invercargill City Council recorded an $8.5 million deficit.