513 days ago

Our new rates bill. When will the Horizons one come?

Iola from Awapuni

I wonder if anyone else asked the question when the new valuations came out, if valuations had anything to do with increasinbg rates? My memory is that PNCC said. No.
Now we all know that the high revaluations, became nonsense figures within 12 months, with house selling between 50K to 100K below the Q.V. figures. So what our properties are worth to the market place, has nothing to do with Q.V. yet our rating system is based on that false figure.
Our section has a value that has no discount for the fact that we cannot use the area that the City stopbank, is on. Previously we had been allowed to overset that loss by being able to vegetable and orchard garden on adjoining reserve land which had no public access.
The decision that a 4 metre wide road would be along the riverside as a commuter way, and PNCC took away our ability to garden and have an orchard.
My next question is, as rates are clearly for a lot of retired fixed income people, going to be unsustainable, will well managed Councils soon be able to attract people of retirement age to the smaller centres instead? A google search was interesting, and a property search nation wide as well as looking at their rates guides, is proving very enlighting.
Palmerston North rates for a 1003 section, $4333. PNCC, Horizons yet to be recieved but expect it to be nearer $1k than $500.

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1 hour ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.5% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.5% Complete
  • 19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.9% Complete
  • 69.6% Nah - not for me
    69.6% Complete
813 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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