As ordinary Kiwis are scraping together coins for groceries, rent, and power bills, our ever-relatable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has heroically managed to shave a whopping $8500 off his annual rates bill for his humble holiday home on Waiheke Island. Truly, a victory for the people.
The house, a modest $10.5 million beachfront bach in Onetangi where the neighbours’ boats probably cost more than most people’s houses, was tragically over-valued by Auckland Council. Thankfully, the system worked exactly as it should for the little guy and after a personal objection, the valuation was slashed by a third to just $7 million. Because who among us hasn’t looked at our $10 million beach home and thought, “This seems a touch high”?
This isn’t the first time Luxon has shown just how in-touch he is with the struggles of everyday New Zealanders. Last year, while asking government departments to tighten their belts, he graciously claimed a $52,000 accommodation allowance on his own Wellington apartment, even though he already owns it - although I think he may have paid it back after the media got involved.
Meanwhile, over at Auckland Council, officials have been working tirelessly to process property objections. Out of 630,000 homes, only 1000 objections have been reviewed so far. Somehow, 47 properties on the Onetangi beachfront, including Luxon’s, have already received their shiny new lower valuations.
The council even warned the remaining beachfront homeowners that they might also get a reduction, just to “ensure consistency.” The system is so fair it’s making sure the rich aren’t treated unfairly compared to the even richer.
Of course, Auckland rates fund trivial things like roads, libraries, and public parks, luxuries the rest of us use while the PM unwinds at his beachside palace. But don’t worry, that $281,000 drop in total rates revenue across the area surely won’t affect anything important.
So here’s to Christopher Luxon, the everyman Prime Minister who really understands what it’s like to make ends meet. An inspiration to anyone struggling to afford both their first home. What a glorious time to be alive in New Zealand!
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced
This isn’t the first time Luxon has shown just how in-touch he is with the struggles of everyday New Zealanders. Last year, while asking government departments to tighten their belts, he graciously claimed a $52,000 accommodation allowance on his own Wellington apartment, even though he already owns it - although I think he may have paid it back after the media got involved.
Meanwhile, over at Auckland Council, officials have been working tirelessly to process property objections. Out of 630,000 homes, only 1000 objections have been reviewed so far. Somehow, 47 properties on the Onetangi beachfront, including Luxon’s, have already received their shiny new lower valuations.
The council even warned the remaining beachfront homeowners that they might also get a reduction, just to “ensure consistency.” The system is so fair it’s making sure the rich aren’t treated unfairly compared to the even richer.
Of course, Auckland rates fund trivial things like roads, libraries, and public parks, luxuries the rest of us use while the PM unwinds at his beachside palace. But don’t worry, that $281,000 drop in total rates revenue across the area surely won’t affect anything important.
So here’s to Christopher Luxon, the everyman Prime Minister who really understands what it’s like to make ends meet. An inspiration to anyone struggling to afford both their first home. What a glorious time to be alive in New Zealand!
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced
9 comments:
And I suppose he’ll think it unfair that anyone is questioning his right to ask for a lesser valuation. The man is naive in the extreme.
Isn't it fantastic NZ has a prime minister who knows how to run large organisations?
Isn't it fantastic the successful Luxon has decided to forgo much greater earnings to become prime minister?
Now wouldn't it be fantastic if Luxon is honest and fulfils his promise to reduce suspicious, life ruining: banking, insurance, grocery and electricity super profits?
So how about it Mr Luxon?
Or do you want to be remembered as just another Helen Clark, with side kicks Nicola Ardern oops Willis and Simon Robertson oops Watts?
This has highlighted a real issue. And that is the incompetence of the Valuation NZ. How often do we see headlines saying a property has sold for a huge amount either above or below its RV. There's never a suggestion that the RV may be wrong. The only true valuations are set by the market not a bunch of incompetent civil servants masquerading as valuers.
After Gabrielle residents in our area questioned QV about valuations following the flood.
Council said they couldn't be adjusted according to QV. Wait until next valuations are done.
Rates by some councils continued to be charged using existing valuations.
Some were in effect means tested.
Why shouldn’t Luxon have the same right to query his rates as any other ratepayer? So he’s been successful in business and made a lot of money. Good on him. I’m not particularly happy with National’s policies but kicking at Luxon for having earned a lot of money is just tall poppy syndrome.
Who cares how many properties Luxon has and what their valuation is? People are not objecting to the mans wealth. A person can be wealthy and still have insight. What we should object to is his dogged determination to skirt around the race issues and the democracy issues. He needs to forget about the wealth he can accrue and start reading New Zealand history. With a better amount of knowledge gained by reading and research, he will see that the best way forward is to support David Seymour and Winston Peters. Sovereignty was ceded by Maori and therefore all citizens should now be treated equally. Knowledge is Power.
We must be a rare pair as we challenged our RV as being too low a few years ago. QV agreed and we obviously ended up paying more rates. Fair enough! Then the kiwifruit grower moved in next door and devalued our place out of sight - oh joy. Sold at a great loss. The whole system is crook. ...and I don't care what Luxon does in his private life I just wish he would focus on delivering this Country from the curse of Maorification as that is devaluing the place for us all!
I'm with you Janine.
Anon@10.32, you're right when you say he's 'made' a lot of money, but then wrong, for what he has received more recently hasn't been 'earned'. He promised to get us 'back on track' and he hasn't.
Q.E.D.
Ironic also that he sought a value reduction. His economic and maorification efforts will only see this country further it's decline.
Post a Comment