Hi Friend,

In just 12 days, voting opens for council elections. But most voters have little idea who stands for what.

While rates are soaring, democracy is in big trouble. More and more councils are voting for unelected "representatives" to screw the scrum and embed things like co-governance. Council transparency has never been worse. Unless we do something, nothing will change.

I really do think these are the most important local body elections of my lifetime. Rates are up 35 percent in just three years! 🤯

Councils are out of control while infrastructure crumbles. It's up to us to force change. Do we have your support?

Better councils need better people 👇

Councils are only as good as the people on them.

We want to highlight which candidates stand with ratepayers, and which candidates stand with the same-old, broken status quo. 

Yesterday, we sent to candidates across the country 2025 'Ratepayer Protection Pledge' seeking their commitment to:

1. Oppose any measures that will see the total burden of rates, levies and additional council charges exceed the level of inflation and population growth
   
   
2. Support initiatives that will improve transparency of council expenditure, including the public disclosure of all expenditure items 
   
   
3. Oppose unelected appointments onto council committees with spending and regulatory powers.

Friend, as of sending you this email – hundreds have already come back with signed copies of the Pledge. But that alone won't move the dial. We need your support to take on Goliath – ensure a majority of candidates sign  – and ensure voters know who is one our side. 

Unless we get the message out, no one really knows who stands for what.

Will you chip-in to our get out the vote effort? 👇

We want to build a New Zealand-wide 'ratepayer voting guide' website and launch a major advertising campaign so ratepayers know who has signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge. 

Only with your support can we ensure voters across the country know which candidates support rates capping, transparency, and democratic accountability in local government. 

This is the best way to make sure we see the substantial change needed on councils this election. But this takes time and money, and both are stretched as we race towards the election.

Friend, to force change and get the best people onto council. We can't half-ass this – will you contribute and make this work possible?

> BACK OUR CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE COUNCILS <

Friend, the irony is not lost on me, us asking for your support while council fleeces us all daily. But like stopping Three Waters, the Ute Tax, and the "Cap Rates Now" truck outside LGNZ, with your support, you know we will deliver. 

Will you chip in so we can get to work?

Thank you for standing with us,

Sam Warren    Local Government Campaigns Manager    New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

Ps. Only when we have good people on council can we expect things to get better. Too often, people look at their voting papers and have no clue who stands for what. Let's make it known loud and clear who stands for ratepayers and is willing to work for change.