Re: Tauranga City Council rates increases.

The research commissioned by The Retirement Commission titled ‘Equitable Rates Relief’ October 20, 2023 – see: https://assets.retirement.govt.nz/public/Uploads/Research/2023/Duyen-Tran_TAAO_Equitable-Rates-Relief.pdf – states that the increasing rates burden for homeowners over 65 years old who are primarily dependents NZS with limited financial reserves is creating pressure on these owners.

Rebates rebate – the maximum rebate for 2023-2024 is $750 – perhaps 25 per cent of most retired homeowners’ rates.  

Single living alone people have to pay all the rates and all other costs themselves.

While the maximum rebate is adjusted by the Consumers Price Index each year it continues to fall behind the real increase in rates. 

Grey Power and others are advocating that the rebate be increased annually by the Local Government Cost Index as this better reflects the increased prices that local bodies face when setting rates.

Hilary R. Burrows, Pāpāmoa.