Local Government and Rates
Back to Basics
Councils should focus on the basics says the Local Government Forum. The forum is made up of a grouping of business organisations, including Federated Farmers, which share an interest in promoting more efficient local government. The Forum's publication Local Government and the Provision of Public Goods, identifies the core activities councils need to focus on as a way to help curb huge increases in local government spending and rates. The new Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, has welcomed the paper and forum members will met with Mr Hide to discuss local government policy.
To read the documents on this topic please download the links below.
Rate your council 2010
In October New Zealanders will have their say in local authority elections. Federated Farmers has always been committed to promoting and celebrating good local government but this is particularly so in an election year.
Three years ago we undertook a very successful survey encouraging people to rate their councils. A highly rated council was one that is open and approachable; takes notice of ratepayers' views; acts without bias; implements the RMA well; provides good roads and other local services; gives good value for ratepayers' money; gives ratepayers a good understanding of where rates revenue is spent; charges affordable rates and spends prudently. In 2007 Taranaki Regional Council was the winning council, scoring consistently highly across all the relevant criteria.
Rate Your Council is back for 2010 and we are keen for farmers and indeed people who aren't farmers to let us know what they think about their regional and district councils.
So please take a few minutes to complete our survey and return your report card by Friday, 23 July 2010.
You can return this survey to:
Nick Clark
Fax 03 357 9451
Post: PO Box 1992, Christchurch
Email: nclark@fedfarm.org.nz
All respondents will go into the draw for a $100 MTA voucher.
Local Government Forum Newsletter
The Local Government Forum has released its annual newsletter. The Forum is a grouping of six business organisations (including Federated Farmers) who have a strong interest in promoting efficiency in local government. The newsletter offers commentary on a range of issues affecting local governance, with this issue having a focus on infrastructure.
Download the below file to view the Newsletter
What Are Rates All About?
Farmers often pay more rates than many large businesses, such as supermarkets and hotels.
Rates are collected to fund services provided by local government, as well as rules and regulations.
The problem for farmers is the way rates are formulated. Rather than being based on income or services received, rates are based on the market price of land and sometimes its improvements.
The government's current rating formula means that many average-sized farms are now paying more than $20,000 in general rates. The Federation thinks this is grossly unfair and financially unsustainable.
The Club No One Wants To Join
Our 10K Rates Club was formed for farmers paying more than $10,000 in general rates.
The aim of the club is to show the government how bad rating can get on rural land. The biggest bill exceeds $73,000 per annum.
If you pay more than $10,000 in rates, join our club by emailing the Federation's rates specialist, Nigel Billings.
Nigel has represented farmers on rates issues for the past 10 years. He regularly supports ripped-off farmers to take on city hall for a fairer deal.
You can contact Nigel: 0800 327 646 or nbillings@fedfarm.org.nz.
In Search of Sustainable Funding
Federated Farmers played an important role in persuading the government to undertake a Local Government Rates Inquiry.
Members and staff are urging politicians to end a system that threatens farm businesses' viability.
Council Plans
Federated Farmers aims to ensure that councils are getting its message loud and clear, that your rate burden is unfair, inequitable and unsustainable.
You can help by logging your own submission. Use the 'Rates Guide' to understand your rates and our 'submission template' to write your submission.
Who Speaks for Farmers on Rates?
The National Board spokesman for local government is Don Nicolson. You can contact Don: dnicolson@fedfarm.org.nz.
