‘Appalling’ - Grey Councillors caught laughing at ratepayers’ anguish

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has slammed Grey District Council for its disgusting conduct during a council meeting, where councillors laughed when asked how residents felt about rates increases.

“It’s utterly disgusting behaviour from councillors. Clearly the mask has slipped, showing no remorse for the impact their rates increases have placed on households.” said Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers' Union.

“Where is exactly do Grey councillors find so funny? Under their watch, Greymouth has suffered an average rates increase of 37 percent in the last three years. That’s incredibly serious, and cackling away in their chambers only shows how insensitive they are to the issue.”

“Locals neither want nor deserve clowns running the show. The only way to show us they’re serious is to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge by 1 September, publicly committing to keeping rate rises below inflation and easing the pressure on households."