PHOTO: The Biggest Rates Hike in 35 Years is Hitting Kiwis Where it Hurts—Their Homes. FILE
📈 Rates Up, Spirits Down: What’s Really Going On?
Homeowners across Aotearoa are being blindsided by the steepest council rates increases in more than three decades—with some regions facing hikes as high as 35%. While Kiwis tighten their belts to meet soaring costs, councils are ramping up executive salaries and bleeding cash on budget blowouts.
A deep dive into public documents shows a stark picture: ratepayers are funding council mismanagement, project overruns, and bloated bureaucracy.
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🏠 Losing the Kiwi Dream: The Real Human Impact
This is no longer just about spreadsheets. Families are being forced to sell, unable to keep up with ballooning rates. Pensioners on fixed incomes are choosing between heating and housing. And young families are watching their homeownership dreams disappear.
A powerful new video lays bare the impact of the rates crisis, featuring real stories and expert analysis – VIEW BELOW
🏛️ Councils Out of Control: Salaries, Spin & Sloppy Projects
While households face economic pain, councils appear immune.
📌 Key facts uncovered:
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Some CEO salaries have exceeded $600,000.
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Infrastructure and transport projects have blown out by tens of millions.
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Ratepayer-funded consultants and “community engagement” costs are surging.
Public trust is crumbling as councils prioritise vanity projects over basic services—and Kiwis are footing the bill.
📉 No Accountability, No Limits: Where’s the Oversight?
Many councils are failing core financial targets, while refusing to scale back spending. Despite record inflation, few have implemented cost-saving strategies. Instead, they’re passing the buck to the public—literally.
Audits reveal widespread governance issues and project mismanagement. Ratepayers are asking: Where is central government oversight?
🔍 Breaking It Down: How We Got Here
This rates crisis didn’t appear overnight. It’s the result of:
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Decades of underfunded infrastructure now catching up
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Poor project scoping and unrealistic cost projections
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Misaligned priorities—PR over potholes
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A lack of transparency and consequences
The system is broken—and homeowners are paying the price.
✅ What Can Be Done?
✔️ Demand greater council transparency
✔️ Push for performance-based executive pay
✔️ Support rates caps or targeted rebates for vulnerable groups
✔️ Call for independent oversight of council spending
Change won’t come without public pressure.
📢 Final Word: Time to Take Back Control
New Zealanders have had enough. The dream of owning a home—or keeping it—is under threat from councils that have lost touch with their communities. It’s time for ratepayer revolt.