Regional Ratepayer Rebels Holding Firm

100,000 Ratepayers Still Witholding All Or Part Rates

Arc Figures Must Be Suspect

Statement from David Thornton

Information supplied to me late yesterday under an Official Information request reveal that there are still over 100,000 ratepayers withholding all or part of their Auckland Regional Council rates - including 43,000 who have paid nothing. And it is now halfway through the financial year. However these figures may not reveal the true and accurate state of the rates collection programme.

The latest information shows that there are 422,478 ratepayers in the region - but information supplied two months ago showed 449,516 ratepayers.

The ARC seems to have 'lost' 27,000 ratepayers.

This inaccurate reporting is a cause for great concern to ratepayers who, with significant rate rises in the offing, can have little confidence in the ability of the ARC to set and collect rates in a fair and businesslike way.

I will be referring this matter to the Auditor-General after the holidays.

Meanwhile the ARC will be sending a second 'reminder' letter to 'defaulters' from 5th January, followed by a third letter at the end of January.

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