2022 Rates Report 

Newsletter - December 2022

Federated Farmers advocates for equitable rating policy and better local government for all farmers. The existing system of property value rates is loaded against agriculture, with farmers paying much more than other residents for council services and infrastructure. We know that councils can reduce the huge cost on farms by using mechanisms available to them, such as per property charges and differentials, to allocate rates more equitably. Federated Farmers advocates for this in almost every jurisdiction with farmland within its boundaries; we are the one rural lobby group that does this work. We are often also a key part of council responses during adverse events with our local Federated Farmers people stepping up to assist civil defence controllers with both practical advice and information gathering in support of rural communities’ This newsletter profiles that effort in 2022 and includes commentary on the major issues affecting local government. 



Contacts:
Sandra Faulkner
Local Government Spokesperson, Federated Farmers of New Zealand

Nick Clark
Group Manager National Policy