{"id":251,"date":"2025-04-23T22:04:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T10:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daveforcouncil.nz\/?p=251"},"modified":"2025-04-23T22:04:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T10:04:26","slug":"251","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exposures.co.nz\/?p=251","title":{"rendered":"Government In Wellington Are Treating Ratepayers Like A Bottomless ATM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"My coalition aligned opponents are forever finding new electoral promises that they say will reduce our rates, but they never cost them.<\/p>\n

In reality they’re just regurgitating decades old neoliberal nonsense that, at the end of the day, just hands over public assets to private enterprise operators.<\/p>\n

Our holiday park, something that is central to the $165 million dollar tourist economy to our town, is just the latest asset the neoliberals are eyeing up for sale to their mates.<\/p>\n

But where are these neolibs on the real issues on what actually affects council rates demand increases like central government regulation?<\/p>\n

On these issues they side with the enemy, their mates in central government.<\/p>\n

In effect they are just running interference for National, Act and New Zealand First as they bring the onslaught of extra rates to ratepayers and muddying the waters with politically aligned nonsense.<\/p>\n

I am calling for an end to the stream of unfunded rules and responsibilities imposed by successive governments that cost councils millions every year.<\/p>\n

In an LGNZ (Local Government New Zealand) -commissioned report by New Zealand Institute of Economic Research released in July 2024, has found central government doesn\u2019t adequately consider the impact and cost of its decisions on councils and that one-size-fits-all policies often aren\u2019t in the best interests of local communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost councils have now set their Long-term Plans by prioritising necessary investment and working with their communities to find savings,\u201d LGNZ Vice President Campbell Barry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, governments of all stripes have come up with ideas and reforms in Wellington then told councils to deliver on them, which puts pressure on rates outside of our control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Findings from the NZIER report:<\/p>\n