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Rates Rises: Why Would You Care?
The Taxpayer’s Alliance has identified over 80 senior council officials in Auckland alone that ‘earn’ over $250,000 and are looking to publicize this information (1Stuff 2nd May 2020). It is surprising to hear the rhetoric coming from some of our … View moreRates Rises: Why Would You Care?
The Taxpayer’s Alliance has identified over 80 senior council officials in Auckland alone that ‘earn’ over $250,000 and are looking to publicize this information (1Stuff 2nd May 2020). It is surprising to hear the rhetoric coming from some of our ‘leaders’ in relation to this type of publicity (1Ratepayers Alliance 29th Apr 2020; 2Rotorua Daily Post 9th Apr 2020). Rather than congratulating such groups on the public service they are providing, the rhetoric from some officials sounds almost threatening. Do not ratepayers have a right to know who is being paid what? It is not your money? If this were a private company then the shareholders would have a right to know the senior managers’ salaries. Maybe some public ‘servants’ have forgotten whose money they are spending?
On the bright side, it is encouraging to see other public officials being more welcome of change, recognising the pay imbalance between essential workers and themselves and cutting their pay. *Note, this is actually cutting their pay, not promising donations to friends or family, or redirecting part of their salary to their own organisation. Why is this important? Because we are unfortunately in for a period of economic pain that will last some time. Our dependence on sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and International students, and the high indebtedness of our households due to having some of the highest housing costs in the world, means the economic effects of Covid-19 will last for many years to come. Thankfully - We are All in This Together, right?
If we are to spend to get out of this recession then the money has to come from somewhere. There is no point taking from ratepayers in order to cover new expansionary spending (3Stuff 24th Apr 2020). That is the proverbial taking from Peter to pay Paul. Rather than being expansionary this just takes your money and gives it to officials for them to redirect. If that redirection is merely into the pockets of high paid staff or contractors, then it is likely to actually reduce economic activity.
One Hamilton councillor has indicated on social media that increased spending at the cost to ratepayers is ‘Keynesian policy’. This is concerning as we would have hoped that the people who lead us had a greater understanding of economics. We would be more than happy to discuss with them Keynesian policy and the requirements for its success. On a positive note, if officials actually cut their pay in order to stop rates rises, and start projects that employ the many who will lose their jobs, this is a great start. While lasting salary cuts for senior public ‘servants’ will not only provide hundreds of millions to local and central government coffers, it has a second, maybe even more important benefit – empathy.
Can you truly appreciate the plight of your average citizen if you ‘earn’ over 15 x’s what they do? Maybe this is why many commentators are stating that councillor’s heads are stuck in the sand in relation to their views on rate rises (4Stuff 2nd May 2020). How can you make rational decisions for a pensioner ratepayer, if your salary Each Week is over $9000, meaning in three weeks you ‘earn’ what they do in an Entire Year?
Yet it was not that long ago that public servants were earning similar salaries to those they served (5Otago Daily Times 6th Nov 2013). So why are our public ‘servant’s’ now some of the highest paid in the world? A part of this is the remuneration authority’s use of % increases to boost senior public service salaries. The math is terrifyingly simple - if you are a pensioner on around $25,500 a year and your pension increases by 2% for the next ten years, then over that period your income would rise by around $5,600, to just over $31,000. If you are a senior council employee earning $440,000 then a 2% increase over that time equates to over $96,000 and your salary to well over half a million dollars. That pay increase alone is more than three times the total salary of the pensioner? But don’t worry it is only a small % increase right…
We therefore applaud the government initiative to rein in excessive public salaries. We look forward to a complete overhaul of the remuneration authority. Maybe if they set the maximum salary of the most senior public servants to 10 x’s the medium income of the people in their region that would be a good start. Maybe then the officials that are so instrumental in setting the laws the affect our lives will think about how the ratepayer will be affected by their decisions. Decisions such as;
the compliance costs that can add upwards of $100,000 to the cost of building a house,
the development of cycle lanes on a bridge coming in at almost $1 million dollars,
a (yes singular) roundabout whose initial budget staff are not able to locate for our OIA, but whose costs has now blown out to over $15 million and counting,
the spending of ratepayers’ money on Victoria St buildings at a price up to 56% more than the market valuation (6 NZ Herald 3rd Oct 2020),
proposals for gardens and new entrances to public facilities priced at tens of millions of dollars?
This sadly is just part of a very, very long list. Of course, it is Just Your Money, Your Rates, Your Increased Rent, so why do you care?
We understand that things are uncertain right now. If you would like to move into a safe and supportive environment that you can make your own, we are still taking admissions for our Care Suites at Awatere.
Situated in the heart of Hamilton, our Care Suites offer the ultimate combination of … View moreWe understand that things are uncertain right now. If you would like to move into a safe and supportive environment that you can make your own, we are still taking admissions for our Care Suites at Awatere.
Situated in the heart of Hamilton, our Care Suites offer the ultimate combination of Rest Home and Hospital care with the creature comforts of home, including an open-plan living area, stylish kitchenette and modern ensuite.
Give us a call to see how we can help.
Awatere is located at 1340 Victoria Street, Beerescourt, Hamilton.
Did your mum transform rainy days into hot chocolate and bad moods into giggles?
Show you care, whether she’s with you or far away.
Enter our Mother’s Day competition before 6 May 2020 for a chance to win!
Too many memories to choose from? Here’s our team with some inspiration.
Follow this … View moreDid your mum transform rainy days into hot chocolate and bad moods into giggles?
Show you care, whether she’s with you or far away.
Enter our Mother’s Day competition before 6 May 2020 for a chance to win!
Too many memories to choose from? Here’s our team with some inspiration.
Follow this link to enter our competition.
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Builders and their clients are being asked to avoid court and instead work out sensible resolutions …
Anybody that might need a car or a people mover for a certain period of time while yours are being repaired by the insuance or just need an extra car for visitors or unlimited period of time.
From a week to a year we can help you.All rates are inclusive of insurance and start from $450p.m.for our … View moreAnybody that might need a car or a people mover for a certain period of time while yours are being repaired by the insuance or just need an extra car for visitors or unlimited period of time.
From a week to a year we can help you.All rates are inclusive of insurance and start from $450p.m.for our entry level hatchback cars to around $750.00 p.m. for our more luxury 7 seater models and $1100.00 per month for our 9- seater people movers.
You hire & drive hassle free and we take care of the rest!!
Contact us now for your tailor-made travel packadge!!
Do you want to be healthy for life? Join us this Saturday 9am on TVNZ 1.
Hosted by Bernice Mene, Healthy for Life is designed to help over 65 year olds work on their strength and balance through an exercise programme called the Super7.
All done from the comfort of your bubble, this show … View moreDo you want to be healthy for life? Join us this Saturday 9am on TVNZ 1.
Hosted by Bernice Mene, Healthy for Life is designed to help over 65 year olds work on their strength and balance through an exercise programme called the Super7.
All done from the comfort of your bubble, this show provides great tips for staying safe in the home, keeping your brain active, how to keep up your social links and friendships and advice about healthy eating and sleep during this time.
Healthy for Life is available on TVNZ OnDemand, or screens this Saturday at 9AM on TVNZ 1.
Find out more at Live Stronger for Longer.
Hi Neighbours!
The new SuperSeniors e-Newsletter is available on our website NOW! This e-Newsletter includes the additional guidance for what seniors can do during Alert Level 3 and information from the Student Volunteer Army and Age Concern about the services they are offering.
It also has … View moreHi Neighbours!
The new SuperSeniors e-Newsletter is available on our website NOW! This e-Newsletter includes the additional guidance for what seniors can do during Alert Level 3 and information from the Student Volunteer Army and Age Concern about the services they are offering.
It also has the details on the Winter Energy Payment that starts again today!
Click here to read: bit.ly...
To get our Newsletter emailed to you, if you receive the NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, update your email in MyMSD here: my.msd.govt.nz...
If you do not receive either of these entitlements but you want to receive our Newsletter you can subscribe here: bit.ly...
For the first time in its history, this year will see the Auckland Art Fair go online. From 11am NZST on Thursday 30 April until Sunday 17 May, Artfair.co.nz will be hosting a Virtual Art Fair where you will discover more than 30 galleries from New Zealand and Australia displaying works that would … View moreFor the first time in its history, this year will see the Auckland Art Fair go online. From 11am NZST on Thursday 30 April until Sunday 17 May, Artfair.co.nz will be hosting a Virtual Art Fair where you will discover more than 30 galleries from New Zealand and Australia displaying works that would have otherwise been seen at the 2020 Auckland Art Fair.
The Virtual Art Fair is in recognition of the artists who have already made special works for the Auckland Art Fair that couldn’t happen, and the galleries who have supported them in doing so.
“It comes at a time of global uncertainty, when the importance of art, community and culture are especially apparent,” their team said in a recent statement.
The Auckland Art Fair is designed to be “a celebration – as best we can – of the talent and diversity of art making by artists from our region; not only across New Zealand and Australia, but also around the wider Pacific-rim. We hope that, wherever possible, some of these artists and galleries will be supported by someone buying a work of art.”
Browse, look, enquire and consider as you get to know new galleries and artists in support of contemporary culture at a time when the artists and galleries really need it.
Find out more at www.artfair.co.nz.
My mother keeps sending me these - you need to be observant to get the right results - and know which functions to do first in math equations.
This morning I found a pair of Dita sports shoes with white studs on the soles. They are in excellent condition. I have them at home. You can ring me at 8340041 if they are yours. Otherwise I will take them to the Police Station tomorrow. Adele
A huge thank you to everyone who completed our website questionnaire.
⭐️ Congratulations to our $50 Prezzy Card winner, Christine ⭐️
We were overwhelmed by the responses and look forward to making the necessary changes to improve our website experience.
www.readerstours.co.nz...
Take one plain wooden dining chair and make it a stand-alone statement piece with two Resene colours. You don’t always need a full set of dining chairs; they can be statement pieces all on their own!
You could use a chair like this in a home office, as a plant stand, or as a bedside table for … View moreTake one plain wooden dining chair and make it a stand-alone statement piece with two Resene colours. You don’t always need a full set of dining chairs; they can be statement pieces all on their own!
You could use a chair like this in a home office, as a plant stand, or as a bedside table for your books and lamp. Painting one chair is an easy way to inject a bit of colour into a room too.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene.
Find out how to create your own.
Hi neighbours, the Cambridge Edition restarts next week and we're looking for your best lockdown photos to feature in our first edition back. Please PM me or send me an email: lawrence.gullery@stuff.co.nz
We hope everyone is keeping safe and well.
New Zealand's longest river is off limits during Level 3 for spiritual healing, creating mixed react…
View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.
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