Poll: The increases has to stop! Should property rates be based on land value or service received/offered?
WHY am I slammed on rates on value? Do I get more services?
Weird thing is the increase of properties in Auckland paying rates now more than ever. Yet I pay 5 times more in rates, in same time frame my house hasn't increased 5 times
I do not understand If own an expensive house or a cheap house that my rates are worked out on value. My income is the same, the services I receive are the same. I use the toilet/shower the same as most. I have no rights to how my rates money is spent on parks, roads, trains ( i am on the shore mo trains) countless frivolous event spaces that I may use once in a lifetime.
Yet I am slammed on rates on value, I pay for my rubbish collection, I pay my road tax via fuel and licensing, I pay, dearly if I go to an event that uses the frivolous event space . I am dammed, if I use a vehicle, with less street parking everywhere, and pay more for gas, with Auckland tax.
If I choose to add value to the land and have 3 story house over a single story, I pay more rates, WHY?
Auckland Council Community News @TVNZ @NEWSHUB
A week on, I was discussing this post with a few people without saying I had posted it. They said let the rich ones pay more, and the poor ones pay less. I still asked why? If I buy a loaf of bread for $2 if I live alone in small house, is it ok that a rich person pay more for the same bread if they live alone in a big house and earn 500k a year?
Rates are exactly the same, it is a service, just like licensing a car, all of the above receive the same service or product, who actually receives it, should not determine the price rates should be no different as the recived outcome parks roads inorganic etc are the same through out Auckland rating area. Yet as a shore person we have no train we may get a cycle lane that was promised with the coat hanger. the harbor tunnel 60 years ago was planned population approx 44k, 2021 expected 1.6 million hence approximately 3 times the amount of rates revived, at an inflation of approx 4 times over same period so the factor of rates being collected now is staggering 12 times more per year, yet still walk around and you see concrete jungles of shared spaces a couple more parks (due to developers gifts etc) yet the services I get are still worse off now than ever and I still have to pat more rates in a gridlock Auckland!! WHY?
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8.9% Land value
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74.3% Services received
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16.8% Keep as is
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.