Rising rates: Where the national parties stand

As controversy over local body rates rages, the Weekend Herald asked parties what their policies were.

>> Click on 'More Pictures" see how much councillors pay in rates.

Labour

Increased central Government funding of local government from $398.7 million in June 2000 to $661.5 million or 65 per cent - about twice the level of increase in rates.

Expanded the rates rebate scheme last month for low-income earners to a maximum $500, increasing numbers eligible from 4000 to 300,000 by raising income threshold from $7400 a year to $20,000. Costs about $50 million more. Has increased local transport funding and drinking water improvement schemes ($150 million over 10 years).

National

Supports select committee review of funding mechanism for rates, believing setting rates on property values is inequitable. It wants greater consideration given to who benefits from services when setting rates. Would address gap between local government funding and increased responsibility such as changes to the Building Act, Resource Management Act, and water quality requirements.

New Zealand First

Wants independent commission of inquiry into local body charges, including GST on rates, the powers that local government has to raise funds, and the increased costs of additional responsibilities that central Government has given to local government.

Greens

Supports greater central Government funding of local transport to mitigate the need for rates increases. Opposes a cap on ratings increases which it believes must be negotiated between local government and its constituents without recourse to central Government. Business entities dealing in essentials such as water (Metrowater) to be brought under council control.

Maori Party

Wants local Maori to have equal say with local and regional authorities on rating of Maori land, large tracts of which are unoccupied or unimproved.

Supports a review of whether rating as a land tax is the best method.

United Future

Wants to remove GST from rates, calling it a "tax on a tax", but should it fail to gain support for that from Labour or National wants to see the GST that is collected on rates refunded to the relevant councils to offset the need for rates increases.

ACT

Proposes to cap rates rises at the level of inflation plus 2 per cent in any one year. Leader Rodney Hide has a private member's bill proposing the cap which faces a vote in three weeks. Supported to select committee by National, Maori Party and United Future. NZ First vote, as yet undecided, will determine whether it gets to select committee.

Progressives

Supports the expansion of rates rebate scheme and increases to urban public transport funding and infrastructure needs. Wants extra funding for tourist centres with small ratings base to cope with increased numbers of visitors.


AUCKLAND CITY COUNCILLORS AND THEIR RATES

Auckland City Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker might have been one of the key architects for this year's average 13.4% rates rise for households but he is feeling the pain personally with a 43% rates increase on his Freemans Bay home. Labour's Richard Northey is another supporter of the rates rises feeling it in the pocket. The rates on his Onehunga house have jumped 46%.

The main reason for the wild fluctuations in Auckland City rates this year has been the three-yearly revaluation exercise. People whose homes have risen by more than the citywide average increase of 42% have had an above average rates increase. People whose homes have gone up by less than 42% have received smaller rates increases.

A small number of ratepayers, including Action Hobson councillor Richard Simpson, have seen a drop in rates. The rates on Mr Simpson's $1.6 million home in Parnell have fallen by 2%.

Mayor Dick Hubbard has the highest rates bill of $6977 on his $3.1 million home in Epsom.


Mayor Dick Hubbard
Epsom
2005 rates: $6606
2006 rates: $6977
+ 5.6%

Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker
(City Vision)
Freemans Bay
2005 rates $1721
2006 rates $2465
+ 43%

Neil Abel
(City Vision)
Freemans Bay
2005 rates $1845
2006 rates $2038
+ 10%

Doug Armstrong
(C&R Now)
Karaka Bay
2005 rates $2399
2006 rates $3064
+ 28%

Christine Caughey
(Action Hobson)
Remuera
2005 rates $5028
2006 rates $6229
+ 24%

Bill Christian
(Independent)
Panmure
2005 rates $746
2006 rates $947
+ 27%

Glenda Fryer
(City Vision)
Mt Eden
2005 rates $2136
2006 rates $2294
+ 7%

Dr John Hinchcliff
(Labour)
Pukekohe
2005 rates $1228
2006 rates $1325
+ 8%

Linda Leighton
(C&R Now)
One Tree Hill
2005 rates $1677
2006 rates $2038
+ 22%

Toni Millar
(C&R Now)
St Heliers
2005 rates $1610
2006 rates $1845
+ 15%

Scott Milne
(C&R Now)
Parnell
2005 rates $1748
2006 rates $1845
+ 6%

Graeme Mulholland
(C&R Now)
Mt Roskill
2005 rates $1078
2006 rates $1289
+ 20%

Richard Northey
(Labour)
Onehunga
2005 rates $1472
2006 rates $2145
+ 46%

Penny Sefuiva
(City Vision)
Grey Lynn
2005 rates $2136
2006 rates $2380
+ 11%

Faye Storer
(Independent)
Oneroa
2005 rates $652
2006 rates $969
+ 49%

Vern Walsh
(City Vision)
Blockhouse Bay
2005 rates $1347
2006 rates $1482
+ 10%

Noelene Raffills
(C&R Now)
Avondale
2005 rates $974
2006 rates $1011
+ 4%



Richard Simpson
(Action Hobson)
Parnell
2005 rates $3769
2006 rates $3706
+ 2%

*Labour councillor Leila Boyle and City Vision councillor Dr Cathy Casey flat in the city and do not pay rates. Labour councillor Dr John Hinchcliff lives in Pukekohe and pays rates to Franklin District Council.