Mayoral Candidate David Hay has declined to sign a pledge to keep rates rises in Auckland at or below 2% per annum, which is being promoted by the "Auckland Ratepayers Alliance"

Mr Hay said today: "If elected Mayor of Auckland I absolutely do intend to make Auckland Council more efficient and effective, and I will do my utmost to ensure rates are fair and reasonable. Auckland has been through a period of significant rates rises and I understand that ratepayers have little tolerance for further rises."

"However I cannot predict the future, or what issues or surprises I might encounter as Mayor. And the Mayor does not have the final say on the council budget - it is adopted by a majority vote of the Governing Body."

"While I sympathise with the position taken by the Ratepayers Alliance, I will not to make promises or pledges if I cannot guarantee I would be able to keep them. In this case, I have to decline"

ENDS

© Scoop Media