The REGIONAL RATEPAYERS REBELLION

The campaign fighting the Auckland Regional Council's rating polices and rates increases.

MEDIA RELEASE 23 March 2004

RATES REBELS SET UP LEGAL DEFENCE FUND

The Rebellion campaign today launched a Legal Defence Fund to assist in defending the first ratepayer taken to court by the Auckland Regional Council.

The move was announced by campaign spokesman David Thornton during his speech to a Greypower meeting on Waiheke Island this morning.

Mr Thornton said that it appeared inevitable that the ARC would take a 'Test case' to court against at least one of the estimated 50,000 ratepayers who are still withholding all or part of their rates, or are refusing to pay penalties.

The exact number of 'rebels' is not known at the moment but the ARC is still almost $10 million short in its rates collection.

Mr Thornton said "Someone, somewhere, is going to be targeted by the ARC and we need public support to mount a proper legal defence for that individual".

Leaflets giving details of the fund will be distributed throughout the region and collections made at public meetings, starting at Orewa this Sunday at 2 pm.

Details will also be on the Rebellion website www.ratesrebellion.org.nz.

The campaign - which in future will be known as 'RatesRebellion' - also announced its intention to field candidates at the October ARC election.

Mr Thornton told his Greypower audience that, despite the fact that at least two ARC councillors say they will not support any changes to the rating system, everyone should make submissions to the Draft Regional Community Plan and "deluge the ARC with an avalanche of protest".

[Contribution to the Legal Defence Fund can be made at any BNZ branch in the Auckland region to the 'Rates Protest/Rebellion' account held at the BNZ Orewa branch]

ends

Contact, campaign spokesman, DAVID THORNTON [Chairman of the Glenfield Ratepayers]
david@Kandu.co.nz

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