Labour candidates want rates review

IN UNISON: The four Labour candidates standing for Palmerston North City Council want a rates review. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Labour candidates for the Palmerston North City Council say they are committed to reviewing the city's rates - an issue becoming common in the local elections.

Lorna Johnson, Sheryll Hoera, David Chisholm and Zulfiqar Butt have been selected by the Palmerston North Labour Electorate Committee to stand in the local elections.

Electorate Committee deputy chairperson Therese McCrea said the candidates brought a diverse range of skills and experience to the campaign.

"Labour decided to run candidates because we want to add to the council's diversity and support strong candidates to put their names forward."

This week, the four announced they were calling for a review of the city's rates system.

"We are committed to a review of the way rates are collected," Mrs Johnson said. "There are several ways the rating system could be changed to make it better reflect residents' ability to pay."

She said for the 2016/2017 rating year, the uniform annual general charge would be $610 per household.

"The total fixed component including water, wastewater and other fixed charges is $1313 per property ... the equivalent of 55 per cent of the $2382 rates the average residential owner will pay in the city.

"In comparison, in Auckland ratepayers will only pay $394 as their uniform annual general charge."

Mrs Johnson is a veterinary surgeon and senior lecturer for UCOL. She is also involved with a number of charities and has been part of the Labour party since 2011.

Mrs Johnson is part of the National Council of Women Manawatu and chairwoman of the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Families Trust.

Her stance in support of social democracy, equity and fairness align well with her counterparts.

Ms Hoera is connected to the city through Rangitane and comes from a background in health.

She has 10 years' experience working for Parliamentary Service and even more alongside councils.

Ms Hoera has been an advocate for issues such as housing, environmental, education, rates, roading, emergency management and water.

Mr Chisholm is a self-employed Apple IT specialist with "core social democratic values". He became a member of Labour in 2014 and has interests in new technology, transport issues, animal welfare and social wellbeing.

He is also involved in the amateur theatre sector and is the funding officer for Pahiatua Repertory Society.

Final candidate Mr Butt is a forester who worked in natural and man-made forests for more than seven years before coming to New Zealand in 2000.

He has worked on various community projects and is currently working for Massey University's International Office.

He has been a member of Labour for more than 15 years and has been part of the Labour Party's Ethnic Sector Council.