Dear Friend,

As we enter a deep recession as a result of COVID-19, Kiwi families and business owners are struggling to work out how they'll cover existing costs, let alone new ones.

Now is the worst possible time for rates to go up. But, incredibly, most councils are still planning rate hikes. Some councils have rates increasing by as much as nine or ten percent.

This completely undermines the Government's strategy of economic relief.

Councils need to do their bit: support our campaign for a nationwide rates freeze

We have just launched a campaign calling for every council to freeze rates until at least April 2021. Our message will be stronger with every additional name.

--> Click here to add your support for a rates freeze <--

We have written to every mayor and regional council chair in New Zealand, asking that they do their part to see their ratepayers through this tough economic time. You can read the letter here.

We're asking each mayor/chairperson to commit to:

1. freezing rates for 12 months; and

2. scrapping low-quality spending to use that money for civil defence efforts or rates relief.

Click here to sign the petition.

Thank you for your support,

Louis Houlbrooke Campaigns Manager New Zealand Taxpayers' Union