‘Another gone, more to follow’ as Waikato Regional Council ditches LGNZ

The Taxpayers’ Union has praised Waikato Regional Council for its decision to withdraw its membership to Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) citing costs, relevance, and left-leaning politicalisation.

Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said:“Councils have woken up to how disconnected LGNZ are from reality. Their six-figure memberships provide no value to ratepayers and, despite ongoing denial, the organisation has turned out to be little more than a mouthpiece for left-wing politics and activism.”

“Last week the Taxpayers’ Union uncovered secret plans from LGNZ to mount a campaign against rates capping - and to pay for it with ratepayer funds. Attacking locals with their own money isn’t just dirty, it’s morally bankrupt.”

"LGNZ's attacks have only sparked more urgency to Cap Rates Now, which has gained more than 28,000 signatures from Kiwis wanting to see councils reined in."

“Waikato Regional is now the eighth council to pull out of LGNZ - and rumours are swirling that more are to come. As the dominos fall, we only ask that the last council to cut its membership with LGNZ remembers to turn off the lights.”