2090 days ago

NATIONWIDE RATES FREEZE FOR PANDEMIC RESPONSE

Ian from Orewa

Over the last three decades councils have hiked rates at more than three times the level of inflation. We say that, just this once, councils should find efficiencies within their operations rather than just reach even deeper into our pockets.

Mr Goff’s attempts to fool you

While Mr Goff talks about “limiting” rates hikes to 2.5% or (more recently) 3.5% — if you listen very carefully, that’s only “general rates”. It doesn’t included all the extra “targeted” rates he has put onto your rates bill!

The fact is that since the formation of the Super City, rates have gone up more than five percent per year. One year, under Len Brown, they went up 9.9% for the average householder.

And while the politicians claim that money was needed to fund essential infrastructure projects – analysis by the Ratepayers’ Alliance shows that the vast majority of the extra revenue actually went onto growing the Council’s payroll. Of the Council’s twelve and a half thousand staff, three thousand staff are paid more than $100,000 pa. 218 are paid more than $200,000. And unlike everyone else sitting at home, not one of those jobs are on the line.

Now is the time for the Mayor and Councillors to find savings.

Your support adds another voice to force Auckland Council to look inwards and find efficiencies. We say that a genuine effort to cut wasteful spending and reallocate money to core services is needed, before they turn to ratepayers at a time of financial crisis.

www.taxpayers.org.nz...

Unlike central government taxes, rates are totally unconnected to your ability to pay. With so many Aucklanders losing their jobs and livelihoods right now, it is cruel to pile even more burden onto ratepayers. But without your support, Auckland Council will continue to dig deeper into your pocket.

On behalf of the whole team here at the Ratepayers’ Alliance (working remotely!), thank you for your support.

Jo Holmes
Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance

www.taxpayers.org.nz...

More messages from your neighbours
2 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?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.1% Complete
  • 69.5% Nah - not for me
    69.5% Complete
675 votes
3 hours ago

🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓

Send us your tricky puzzles!

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12 hours ago

Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.

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