TUESDAY 8 JULY 2025

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger’s support for the campaign to cap annual council rates increases, and labelling him a 'ratepayer hero'.

Taxpayers’ Union, Investigation Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Councils have been using ratepayers as a bottomless ATM. It’s refreshing to see a mayor finally admit that the current model is broken and something needs to change.”

“Christchurch’s rates have gone up nearly 25% over the past three years far outpacing inflation. Ratepayers aren’t getting 25% more value. They’re getting bloated budgets, pet projects, and everything else no one asked for.”

"Mayor Mauger’s suggestion of a 5% rates cap is a welcome step, but anything above inflation is still a pay cut for ratepayers."

“Councils won’t make tough choices until they’re made to. Rate Caps Now does exactly that.”

"But at a time when LGNZ is planning a sneaky campaign to use ratepayer money to lobby against and undermine Simon Watts' proposal to cap rates, it's refreshing to see that the local government sector still has true leaders who stand on the side of fiscal prudence and affordable rates. A ratepayer hero in the Garden City."

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