Poll: What could the Christchurch City Council fund if it didn't have to pay GST on rates?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says GST on rates, currently taken by central government, would be better spent locally.

The comments follow an Infometrics analysis that found over $1.1 billion of rates revenue nationwide was collected by the Government in 2022 as GST.

According to Infometrics, $88.5m of that came from Christchurch city ratepayers. It would be enough to save the Christ Church Cathedral from ruin; restore the Dux de Lux seven times over; cover both the Art Centre and Orana Wildlife Park’s request for regular public funding for over 26 years; contribute to light rail in Greater Christchurch; or get the South Library rebuild completed.

Read the full story by reporter Sinead Gill here and share your thoughts in the comments below. (Note: Subscription required. You can still read two free stories a month if you're not a ThePress.co.nz subscriber).

What could the Christchurch City Council fund if it didn't have to pay GST on rates?

• Light rail
• South Library
• Orana Wildlife Park
• The Arts Centre
• Dux de Lux
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Something else (share your thoughts in the comments)

Vote View Results

• 21.5% Light rail
  21.5% Complete
• 5.4% South Library
  5.4% Complete
• 38% Orana Wildlife Park
  38% Complete
• 13.2% The Arts Centre
  13.2% Complete
• 2.9% Dux de Lux
  2.9% Complete
• 12.7% Christ Church Cathedral
  12.7% Complete
• 6.3% Something else (share your thoughts in the comments)
  6.3% Complete

205 votes

The Tova Show

Jen from Stuff

Hello! Are you a …
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We’re reaching out from the Tova show, the flagship weekly politics podcast on Stuff, as we prepare for our budget coverage and how it’s affecting Kiwis - we’d love to hear from you.

We need a few people who are available the week before the budget (Wednesday 22nd/Thursday 23rd May) and on the day of the announcement (Thursday 30th May).

Please email tova@stuff.co.nz or comment below if you’d like to share your perspective with us. We give you our commitment to treat your experience with sensitivity and care.

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Share your New Zealand music memories...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It's NZ Music Month and New Zealand really has some beautiful songs from artists that we call our own.

Whether it's April Sun in Cuba, Don't Forget your Roots, or How Bizarre or Bic Runga's 'Sway' - songs have a way of unlocking memories and evoking old feelings.

In honour of NZ Music Month, share a New Zealand song or artist that is special to you and explain why.

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