Readers respond: Ratepayers reel from mugger for the day

As a resident of Takapuna, I would have thought the Shore rates would reduce slightly when the ARC component was removed. No such luck. Our rates actually increased by $90. This, on top of the ARC tax, is an increase over last year of $880.

We then have the hypocritical North Shore council holding a public meeting a day or two before their own increased rates demands are sent out bleating about how unfair the Ned Kellys at the ARC are being.

It's getting a bit like the Steve Martin film where the robbers line up outside the restaurant door and say, "Good evening sir, I'm your mugger for the day". - Steve Pyne

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I am a single parent of a child with an ongoing illness. There is nothing left in our budget for any kind of entertainment, clothing or vehicle maintenance or repairs. Now, thanks to the ARC, there is also nothing for my son's ongoing medical expenses and unsubsidised medications.

This hurt is compounded by the fact my son's medical expenses budget is going to partly fund public transport.

My son had to visit Starship three weeks ago and the hospital advised not to bring our car as there was absolutely no parking due to construction.

We caught the train. Our planned return journey from Newmarket left us standing at the platform waiting for a train that was 40 minutes late in an extremely cold, biting wind - from which there was no shelter - and with no seat to sit on. My child had a temperature of 40 degrees and was suffering from chronic headache. By the time the train arrived we were both in tears.

I don't know how I will be able to bring myself to write this cheque. - Jude Mitchell, Waitakere

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I live in Papakura and work shiftwork at Glenbrook, NZ Steel. Because there is no public transport to Glenbrook, my employer provides a bus service at a cost of $30 per week or $1500 per annum.

I have to earn $2500 gross to pay the annual transport fee. I ask the ARC why should I pay their transport levy (increased by 400 per cent) when there is no public transport to my workplace. I consider the ARC rates increases illegal and unjust.

The ARC should be disbanded because it has become an out-of-control monster as reflected in its excessive rates demands. I fear if the ARC is allowed to continue, its rates demands will exceed those of the city councils in the not too distant future. - P.A. Szaszy, Papakura

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I would like to express my disgust at the ARC rates bill received this morning, which is a nearly 100 per cent rise on what was paid last year through my Manukau rates.

But my main concern is that this demand has to be paid in full by August 4 or we incur penalties. This allows 11 days for payment. Any invoice sent under business conditions is either payment in 28 days or by the 20th of next month.

How can most people pay these huge amounts in 11 days? We did not know what the amount was going to be in advance in order to save this money.

Regarding transport, we have no access to trains from Howick nor are we ever likely to, so why should we pay for them?

I don't even believe these monies will improve traffic conditions around Auckland. - Jane Blow, Howick

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I am 63 years old and live in Cockle Bay. My ARC rates have gone from $229.34 to $691.61, an increase of $462.27.

We certainly do not have a railway line. Is the council going to put a railway into Cockle Bay and Howick?

Over the next five years I will have paid a total of $3458.05. I could own my own bus for that. Or it's an awful lot of taxis. - Sandy Arthur

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Along with most other citizens of Auckland I am staggered at the cost of this extra rate.

I pay Manukau rates in quarterly instalments (the next being due in August of $500-plus) and I was amazed to find that these rates cannot be split into the same quarterly instalments. The alternative to paying in full in a few weeks' time is to arrange a bank direct debit split over 10 months.

This is not an option for me. I can manage paying something every three months. Surely there should be the same flexibility with these ARC rates. Any suggestions? - Mary Ryan, Bucklands Beach

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As regards rates increases, which I got in the mail today, I was shocked. I am a sickness beneficiary, and I own my home.

I live in Manurewa, where graffiti and burglaries run rife. What do I see for my extra rates of $103 per year? I cannot afford to pay this huge hike.

I have to see Work and Income to see if I can get help to pay it. People who rent won't have to pay this, so why should homeowners? My rates in Russel Rd, Manurewa are already expensive at $320 odd per quarter.

It's outrageous. - Margaret Wood, Manurewa

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It is unfair that the ARC is not giving us enough time to budget for this tax increase, and is not allowing us to pay by monthly cheque instalments.

The ARC have definitely got it wrong by not going through a more thorough consultation of ratepayers before they decided to to tax us independently of [our local] council.

We are not paying our bill until we are absolutely forced to. Paying a 10 per cent penalty doesn't faze us. - R.J. Frewin, Titirangi

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