Porirua mayor's defending a trip to Western Sydney planned for November, calling the sister city relationship important. 

Anita Baker will travel to Blacktown for the inaugural Trans-Tasman Mayoral Cup, played between football teams from both cities. 

It'll cost ratepayers $2500 dollars in flights for Baker and a local kaumatua, with Blacktown's council providing accommodation.

Baker says she keeps costs low by not employing office staff - and managing rates rises. 

"We've had our sister city relationship with Blacktown for 42 years, so I think it's a reasonable expense." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Porirua mayor's defending a trip to Western Sydney planned for November, calling the sister city relationship important.&nbsp;
Anita Baker will travel to Blacktown for the inaugural Trans-Tasman Mayoral Cup, played between football teams from both cities.&nbsp;
It'll cost ratepayers $2500 dollars in flights for Baker and a local kaumatua, with Blacktown's council providing accommodation.
Baker says she keeps costs low by not employing office staff - and managing rates rises.&nbsp;
"We've had our sister city relationship with Blacktown for 42 years, so I think it's a reasonable expense."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Anita Baker: Porirua mayor defends ratepayer-funded trip to Sydney for inaugural Trans-Tasman Mayoral Cup

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2f6dfa39-ab1c-4d05-a195-b4b3006b9d19/transcript