The Kaipara District Council has one of the lowest rate increases in the country at just 4.96% for the year ended 30 June 2024.
Mayor Craig Jepson said the Council contained the rate increase by deferring non-essential spending and achieving greater operational efficiencies. This is despite council infrastructure sustaining significant damage
during cyclone Gabrielle.In contrast, the Northland Regional Council has voted to increase rates by 10.48%, which is one of the highest in the country. Council Chair Tui Shortland says the new funding would be used for:
- “Te Tiriti capacity and capability building
- Two Māori relationships team officers
- Another consents officer
- Another environmental monitoring officer
- Funding to move Enviroschools facilitators from contractors to employees
- A river engineer (asset management)
- Funding for earth observation data…
- Enhanced remuneration and a recruitment officer…
- Increased non-elected member payment to attract and retain the right hapū and iwi expertise”.
So it’s a thumbs up for Craig Jepson and Kaipara’s councillors, and a thumbs down for Tui Shortland and her spendthrift councillors - it’s plain to see where their priorities lie.
See NZ Herald article...HERE>>>
