Source: New Zealand National Party
We are putting a cap on council rates increases.
For far too long households and businesses have been hit with steep, unexpected rates hikes, with average increases of 14.2 per cent and 9.2 per cent over the past two years alone.
Those kinds of increases are not sustainable. Enough is enough.
We will ensure councils keep increases within a 2-4% range. This forces greater fiscal discipline and gets local government back to basics: fixing potholes, collecting rubbish, and running the pools, parks and libraries that communities actually rely on.
Nice to haves should be just that – nice to haves. They should never come at the expense of the basics and shouldn’t come at the cost of double digit yearly rates increases like we are seeing in some parts of the country.
For example, ratepayers in Waitaki, who are currently facing a 17% increase on the average rates bill of $3,500 would add about $595 a year. If National’s 4% rates cap was applied today, the increase would be around $140, saving the average ratepayer about $455 a year.
Our rates cap is about fairness and responsibility. Ratepayers are spending their money carefully; they deserve councils that do the same.
We believe in easing cost-of-living pressures on hard-working Kiwis. We’ve already delivered tax relief for the first time in 14 years, we’ve cut wasteful spending, we’re lowering debt and we have committed to no new taxes.
Labour’s approach was the opposite. Years of high spending and empowering councils to spend on nice to haves left ratepayers footing the bill. Now Labour wants to repeat its high spending high taxing recipe, with them and their mates campaigning for nine new taxes.
The choice this election couldn’t be more clear: party vote National for a cap on rates and no new taxes versus the Labour coalition who will spend more and make you foot the bill through more taxes.
Hon Simon Watts
Authorised by J de Joux, 41 Pipitea St, Wellington.