Tuesday, 30 July 2024 15:25

Out of control

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The Taxpayers' Union has run the ruler over council rate increases and concluded, "Our councils are out of control".

They've revealed that the average for city and district councils is an eye-watering 14% hike this year on top of the 15% rate hikes at regional councils.

Special mention goes to West Coast, Wellington, Central Hawke's Bay and Gore for topping the 20% mark.

The union also found that at nearly every council, the proportion of spending going to roads, pipes, pumps, etc. has been reducing compared to that spent on staff payroll, back-office bureaucracy, etc.

Analysts agree non-tradeable inflation, driven in no small part by rates, is key to reducing inflation, yet it's hard to see any evidence of councils cutting fat and focusing on core services.

More like this

Times have changed

OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers were at the top of the cabinet rankings.

Hallelujah moment

OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in his candid review of the NZ public service.

Waste-watch

OPINION: Media luvvies have pigeon-holed the Taxpayers Union (TPU) as some right-wing lobby, but as far as this old mutt can tell, the TPU focuses on shaming poor behaviour and wasteful spending by those that govern us, no matter who's in power.

Tariff risk

OPINION: Some commentators across the ditch reckon the second Trump administration's anticipated trade protectionism, coupled with China's economic fragility, poses a significant risk for Australia's agricultural export industries.

Drunk on power!

OPINION: The end-of-year booze-up at the posh Northern Club in Auckland must have been a beauty, as the legal 'elite' let their hair down and showed us how entitled and political some in the judiciary really are.

Featured

Forum to discuss Angus genetics and beef production

The Neogen World Angus Forum, a major event in global Angus beef industry, is set to return in 2025.

Animal welfare drives scientist’s research

Whatever an animal is raised for, it deserves a good life — and just as importantly, a “good death”.

‘Nanobubble’ trial trims irrigation water usage

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.

Editorial: Elusive India FTA

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.