Taxpayers' Union Launches 2025 Ratepayers' Report for Top of the South 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.” 

“Ratepayers in the Top of the South are being hit with a triple whammy of high rates, high debt, and high staffing costs. Nelson ratepayers face bills of $4,035 on average, per household, among the highest nationwide, while Tasman and Marlborough also sit well above the national average. 

“Tasman’s debt is particularly heavy at $15,873 per household, and Nelson and Marlborough aren’t far behind at $13,531 and $10,164 per household. Staff costs are also steep, with more than half of Tasman employees paid over $100,000. For relatively small councils, these figures place the region among the most expensive in New Zealand.” 

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