Andrew B: Council Reaches New Low

We have all heard about the $500,000 speed bumps in Auckland, and wondered how it could possibly cost so much to put a foot of asphalt across a street.

Andrew B: Hamilton Council Rates up 54%

While this article uses Hamilton as the example, it really applies to all councils facing the same problem for the same reason.

News that Hamilton City Council has proposed a 25.5% rates rise next year does not tell the full story. It is planned to be followed with a 12.9% rise the following year and an 8.7% one the year after. This compounds to a whopping 54%, showing just how bad things really are. What is really scary is that the mayor’s alternative was even worse at 57.4%!

How did it get to this?

Andrew B: Should We Cancel Some of the Councils?

There are 67 councils across New Zealand. Is that too many? Should we get rid of some by amalgamation?

** The author, Andrew Bydder, is a Hamilton City Councillor. These are his personal views.

Voter turnout for council elections is around 33%. It is hard to describe the results as democratic when, for whatever reason, the majority don’t see voting as worthwhile. Clearly, something is wrong. The usual complaint is that voting doesn’t seem to change anything, so what is the point?