A local Crissis; NPDC rate demands in Arrears.
As the silence now from the NPDC is deafening, on the question of a rate freeze/reduction, or God help us, a rate rise, i made enquirers to ascertain, as I do most years, how many of the districts 36000 rate payers have fallen behind with their payments. 3 years ago, it was only 8 properties. Last year it was approx. 110. But this year for the end of May, it has increased to a unbelievable , just on, 11000, nearly 1/3rd of the district rate payers. Nothing has been said about this situation in any newspaper that I have seen, not consternation has been mentioned anywhere i have read, from the NPDC. Yet they carry on as if nothing is amiss, Covid-19 is behind us, they appear to believe, so lets all sail onward to some sort of mythical well being! Well the real news for them is that most Business is in acute financial distress, on average, and property owners and business tenants are in a death type struggle to survive, at current costs/rate demands. The NPDC answer was that that average rate INCREASE for next is will be absorbed by increasing commercial property rates, more that residential rates. This is supposed to be a great equalizer, yet most small business is now hanging onto life by their fingernails. I read nothing from the NP Chamber of Commerce on this situation, its all as if we close our eyes, the problem will go away. The solution is so obvious what has to be done? Will it happen? I will try and attach a letter written by our present Mayor a few years back, only for enlightenment!
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.7% Yes
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14.7% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
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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