Proposed Auckland Council Rates Increase
Auckland Council Mayor Phil Goff is proposing rates increase (2.5% - 3.5%). It is unbelievable for a mayor who can propose such a ridiculous idea amidst a pandemic which will most likely cause a global economic slowdown. New Zealand will not escape from the hit as part of the international economy. Auckland, the largest city of NZ, will be adversely impacted by the slowdown as well. Even the central government has provided financial assistance to those suffering from the hardship in the lockdown period, I wonder why the Auckland Council could proceed the rate rise in this unprecedented difficult time. Not even considering to help out local residents to go through this difficult time, our Council is trying to add financial burden to the local residents.
In the 4 weeks lockdown, all infrastructure construction activities have ceased. Mr Goff also said that Auckland Council was already shedding contracts and temporary staff. It is reasonably estimated that Auckland Council would spend much less in the current financial year. Based on this estimate, it has absolutely no reason to raise the rates. On the opposite, Auckland Council should decrease the rates in this financial year to help the property owners to weather through the anticipated economic slowdown.
I have emailed my request to the Councillors of Howick Ward, Sharon Stewart and Paul Young, but got no response (so disappointed without even receiving an acknowledgement as a matter of courtesy).
As the rate increase will affect all residents in Auckland, no matter you are property owners or tenants, I hope you could voice out your views on this issue by emailing to the elected representatives of your ward who have promised to act on our interest in the last election.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.8% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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