Pages tagged “Cap Rates Now”

1. Taxpayer Talk: “You’re not special!” - Simon Watts on the local government reforms failing ratepayers

   Posted in NEWS by Tory Relf | September 21, 2026

     Jordan Williams sits down with Simon Watts, Minister of Local Government, for a frank conversation on the Government’s local government reforms. From scrapping Three Waters and introducing rates caps to co-governance in water entities, councillor access to information, unelected committee members, and council...

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2. Watts makes bad Local Government Bill worse

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | September 15, 2026

   The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Government’s move to strip unelected Independent Māori Statutory Board members of voting powers, but says its latest Amendment Paper will kill off councillors’ ability to govern effectively.Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Council voting rights should belong to people...

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3. Tourism funding boost means no excuse to delay rates cap

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | September 8, 2026

   Responding to National’s announcement that it will redirect International Visitor Levy revenue to councils rather than introduce a bed tax, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“National has shown what we have been saying all along: councils do not need a bed tax or a...

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4. LGNZ's bogus $34 rates cap claim blown apart by new analysis

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 28, 2026

   New Taxpayers’ Union analysis shows the average household could save around $391 a year under the Government’s rates cap, more than eleven times the $34 claimed by Local Government New Zealand.Taxpayers’ Union Head of Policy James Ross said:“LGNZ told ratepayers a rates cap would...

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5. Next step is getting councils back to basics

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 25, 2026

   Responding to today’s announcement of rates cap legislation, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said the next step is stopping council waste at the source.“Capping rates is a major victory for ratepayers nationwide, who cannot afford another term of 34 percent rates hikes. But limiting...

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6. Government’s rates cap a campaign win for ratepayers

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | August 25, 2026

   The Taxpayers’ Union is celebrating a major policy victory after the Government announced council rates increases will be capped from 1 July 2029.Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:“This is a huge win for ratepayers. More than 31,000 New Zealanders backed our Cap Rates Now campaign, and...

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7. Rates Dashboard 2026

   Posted in DASHBOARDS by NZTU Media | July 9, 2026

   The 2026 Rates Dashboard compiles the average rates increase for each of the territorial and unitary councils across New Zealand, allowing ratepayers to compare their council with others. This year’s Rates Dashboard includes a “total cost increase” that takes into account the councils where...

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8. Calls for ‘relief’ are an insult to Waitaki ratepayers

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | July 7, 2026

   Responding to reports that Waitaki District Council is investigating options such as reduced penalties and charity for ratepayers struggling with the council’s 16.9 percent rates rise, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Josh Van Veen, said:“Waitaki ratepayers will be feeling insulted by this token gesture.”“Despite overwhelming opposition from the...

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9. Hastings Mayor’s extraordinary admission undermines entire Annual Plan consultation

   Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | June 5, 2026

   The Taxpayers’ Union says Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum’s admission in front of a packed ratepayer meeting that she was given a “heads up” about the impact of QV changes on rates — while the Council kept the information from the public until just two...

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10. Rates showdown tonight: Hastings businesses face rates increases of up to 85 percent

    Posted in NEWS by NZTU Media | June 4, 2026

    Rates showdown tonight: Hastings businesses face rates increases of up to 85 percent The Taxpayers' Union says small businesses and jobs are at immediate risk in Hastings following the District Council's new revelations that commercial rates are going up next month by an average...

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