Wellington.Scoop
No one who publishes a blog could be categorised as someone who worries about their privacy. So it was strange this week to see Mayor Kerry Prendergast on TV3 explaining that she hadn’t sought authorisation from Terry Serepisos to release details of his overdue rates – as she agreed the law entitles her council to do – “because individual ratepayers value their privacy.”

On Campbell Live, the Mayor faced tough questions from John Campbell about the unpaid rates which are owed to her council by the property developer who describes himself on his website as “a self made entrepreneur” who brings “style, sophistication, vision and glamour to his projects.” But the mayor’s privacy excuse was unconvincing. Not only does Mr Serepisos have his own website. He’s also been blogging for the last 11 weeks on the TVNZ website, where he “tells it like it is” and offers business tips.

He’s never been shy about being photographed by the media. At Trentham for example, where his Century City Developments company is the major sponsor of the Wellington Cup Carnival.

At the Westpac Stadium, with the managing director of Sony New Zealand (left).

And at social events, including a fancy dress party to celebrate his birthday last year. Held at his Roseneath house, it was reported by Snapstar.

Here he is with Peter Huljich in 2006 at the “Hanover white tie and diamond ball” where the VIP guests were photographed by The A List.

He was on show at last year’s Louis Vuitton Charity Ball at Sky City in Auckland, also photographed for The A List.

There’s no evidence that privacy has been something which has worried Terry Serepisos during his career. Which should make it easy for the Mayor to seek his authorisation to tell ratepayers the details of what he owes to the city, to balance her assurances that he isn’t receiving favourable treatment of any kind. Ratepayers will also share John Campbell’s wish for an answer to the last question in his interview: “When will he pay?”

The John Campbell interview.