Taxpayers' Union Launches 2025 Ratepayers' Report for Southland Councils 

The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has today published the 2025 edition of the Ratepayers' Report, available at RatepayersReport.nz. 

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Sam Warren, said: 
 
“The Ratepayers’ Report allows Kiwis to easily compare their local council’s performance and financial position for 2023/24 against others. The report provides transparency for ratepayers, especially important this year as we head into the local government elections.” 

“Southland ratepayers benefit from some of the lowest bills in the country, with Environment Southland charging just $336 per household – the cheapest in New Zealand – and city and district households sitting around $2,700 to $3,000 per household. 

“Gore District, however, carries the heaviest debt in the region at $10,325 per household, far above Invercargill’s $7,257 or Southland District’s $3,897. And while Southland District refused to disclose the number of staff paid more than $100,000, Environment Southland has 85 staff on six-figure pay packets, and Invercargill City Council has 78.” 

“Ratepayers can compare their councils for themselves at RatepayersReport.nz.”