Len Brown's rates

Today we released information showing that while Aucklanders have been facing hefty rates increases, rates for Len Brown’s seven bedroom mansion have been falling.

Information obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union show that Mr Brown’s annual rates bill has fallen by several hundred dollars since becoming Mayor – from $3,994.05 in 2011/2012 to $3,693.76 in 2014/2015.

Since becoming Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown’s rates have fallen by several hundred dollars.

When Aucklanders are feeling the pinch of soaring rates Len Brown must have the best deal in Auckland with a decrease of almost ten per cent in three years.

While everyone’s rates are going up, Len Brown’s are going down. It’s salt in the wounds of those whose rates have increase ten, twenty or thirty percent.

Since our launch in 2013 we have been keeping an eye on huge rates increases within Auckland. Our competition to find the largest rates increases revealed one ratepayer, Mrs Glenys Smith, faced an increase of 34.2 per cent from the 2011/2012 year.

No wonder Len Brown broke his promise to hold rates at 2.5 per cent, it appears that Auckland Council’s inefficiency affects everyone but him.

It’s easy to break your promise when it’s everyone else picking up the tab.