Early win for Auckland Mayor in rates rise debate

Len Brown says alternatives to rates rises are being considered to fund major projects in Auckland. Photo / Natalie Slade

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has scored an early win in an all-day council meeting making final decisions on his first 10-year budget.

The council voted 15-8 this morning to support Mr Brown's proposal of a uniform charge of $350.

Mr Brown said $350 was a "fair, even point" for residential ratepayers.

An opposition group of citizens, ratepayers and right-leaning councillors failed with an amendment to set the charge at $450, in order to reduce the level of rates increases on higher value properties.

A low uniform charge benefits low value properties, while a higher uniform charge would benefit higher-value properties.

Mr Brown said today's budget was a "hugely important" day that would begin to redefine the city.

This afternoon councillors will consider Mr Brown's proposal for an overall rates increase of 3.6 per cent.

But the opposition has put forward proposals to reduce the increase to 2.5 per cent.