We urge Councils to curb rates increases

19/2/2024

Kāpiti Coast Grey Power (KCGP) is urging Kāpiti Coast District Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council to restrict any rates increase to New Zealand’s 4.7% consumer price index.

KCGP President Roger Booth said today that recent reports indicate the district council is planning a 12.5% increase, with the regional council also suggesting a double digit hike.

“This is unacceptable.

“The councils, as our community leaders, should be showing the way for fiscal restraint, not blithely passing their costs on to ratepayers who can ill afford it,” Roger Booth said.

“ASB economists say the average New Zealand household will have to find an extra $70 a week in 2024 just to cover their costs.”

Kāpiti Coast Grey Power advocates for a membership of some 2700 over-50s, but Booth believes that they speak for the whole community. “In our population of 55,000, 50% are over the age of 50,” he said.

“We’ve reminded both councils that increases in council rates impact not only property owners but also those renting as well as the businesses that employ our community. Insurances, borrowings, prices of foodstuffs, materials and even the separate rubbish collection service have all gone up for every household.

“It’s an ongoing spiral where increased costs are dumped on individuals facing exactly the same financial pressures as Councils.

“Many Kāpiti residents, especially those on fixed incomes, cannot afford the increases and are going through the painful exercise of where to pare back. And sometimes that means going without meals or relying on the Food Bank, not turning on the electricity, dipping into KiwiSaver accounts for daily needs and replacing clothing at the Op Shops.”

Roger Booth said that public consultation on rates rises is intended to take place in March. “Kāpiti Coast Grey Power will be at the forefront of pushing for councils to cut their cloth and care for their community – and put their pet projects on the shelf.”