Wellington City Council appoint expert to review cost of Central Library website

Wellington City Council has appointed an expert to review the value for money offered of the Central Library's website.

Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui opened in March after the Central Library and Civic Square were restored and strengthened for $217 million.

Its website - which redirected users to another website for practical purposes such as joining the library - was reported to cost $600,000.

Mayor Andrew Little said he was shocked at the cost and launched an independent investigation.

Colin MacDonald, a technology expert, will be conducting the review free of charge.

The Council offered to pay him, but he declined an payment beyond having reasonable expenses covered such as technical advice or report writing support.

MacDonald has over 35 years' experience in both public and private sector roles, including as chief executive officer of the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs and the government's chief digital officer.

Wellington City Council chief executive Matt Prosser said there was considerable public interest and concern about the website and its seeming disproportionate cost.

"I have therefore commissioned an independent external review of the process to help understand better what happened and to identify lessons that can be applied," he said.

The review will consider the value for money offered by the website, the decision behind its approval at this price tag, and whether the website delivers on its intended purpose.

"This review will look for ways to strengthen decision-making processes so that we can continue to improve how council serves the Wellington public," Prosser added.