Hot off the press from NZ Taxpayers Union outside the LGNZ Conference under the Heading:
Local Government New Zealand Hits New Low
NZTU Head Sherang Jordan Williams says:
Responding outside the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)’s Annual General Meeting this morning, where 82 percent of members voted to mount a ratepayer-funded campaign against the Government and the Taxpayers Union’s efforts for rates capping legislation, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said:
“LGNZ are gaslighting ratepayers. So desperate to defend rates having gone up by more than 34 percent over the last three years – two and a half times the level of inflation – they now plan to spend ratepayer money to fight ratepayers.”
“This is a middle finger from LGNZ, not just toward ratepayers, but towards Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for trying to get the cost of living under control.”
“LGNZ is nothing but a left-wing Labour Party political campaign. Any pretence of political neutrality or moral authority has vanished with this vote.”
tens of thousands of NZ have signed the petition at Cap Rates
“At 11am this morning (Wednesday) local ratepayers will be protesting LGNZ’s decisions outside the Christchurch Convention Centre. Minister Local Government Simon Watts will be invited to address the crowd.”
If you haven’t seen it here is a link to the NZTU Rates Dashboard which shows every Council’s recent rates increases including increases for the next rating year – average is about 8%/9% I believe.
No Minister 
Auckland City, Christchurch City, West Coast, Kaipara, Grey, Westland and Western BOP have all quit LGNZ. You can see why.
The outfit still has a lot of die hard members though JJO.
Try living in Wellington. It will sap your will to live.
New Plymouth is bad too, with high rates rises for a long time. Highest burial prices too.
Not to mention the new names for New Plymouth buses Mike.