Christchurch ratepayers saddled with 53 per cent rates increase over 10 years
The Christchurch City Council has signed off on a $10.6 billion "back to basics" budget that will increase rates bills by more than half in 10 years.
Ratepayers will also have to pay a special levy of about $6.52 a year for 10 years to cover the council's $10 million contribution to help reinstate the Christ Church Cathedral.
The council has described its long term plan (LTP) as "focusing on the basics" after it decided to spend an extra $48m on wastewater infrastructure, $25m to improve drinking water – including getting rid of the chlorine – and to prioritise improvements to roads and footpaths.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.1% Yes
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32.8% Maybe?
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26.1% No
2025 has been massive. The Luxon-led Government's attacks on workers, on Te Tiriti, on pay equity, on educators, on health workers, and on the public service, have been relentless.
But despite everything thrown at working people, we've also seen some massive wins. We've fought back together with strike action. We've unified with days of action. We have focused on what matters. Make no mistake, 2026 will be wild, and we are ready for it! Source - New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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