Dear Supporter,

The 2019 Ratepayers' Report is now live!

We've just pressed 'publish' on the 2019 edition of our local government league tables, produced in partnership with our sister group, the?Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance.

Ratepayers' Report?ranks local councils for metrics including average residential rates, liabilities, staffing costs, and more.

--> Log-in to find out how your council compares <--

Once logged in, you can view the rankings for different metrics by selecting the "Table Data" view and clicking the headings that interest you.

By using per-household and per-ratepayer data, the Report allows for apples-to-apple comparisons between councils, so no-one can credibly claim cherry-picking or a political agenda.

Key findings:

Rates are still on the rise. On average, councils have increased their rates by $90, with the highest rates increase coming from Manawatu District Council which increased residential rates by $364, or 14%.

As for the overall rankings, we have a new "winner"...

• Auckland Council now ranks highest for average residential rates at $3,387. It is no wonder: 2,473 staff at Auckland Council and its CCOs are paid salaries greater than $100,000.

• The lowest average residential rates in New Zealand are the Southland District ($1,737).

• Christchurch City Council continues to have the highest liabilities/debt per household compared to any other council ($25,402). Auckland Council follows in second place, with debt per household of $21,941.

• The average liabilities per household for all councils is $6,197.

• The least efficient council in terms of staffing is Westland District Council, with a staff member for every 19 households. The most efficient is Tararua District Council, with a staff member for every 117 households.

• The least efficient council in terms of staffing is Westland District Council, with a staff member for every 19 households. The most efficient is Tararua District Council, with a staff member for every 117 households.

• Only five councils meet the full criteria for prudent Audit and Risk Committees. Two Councils, Palmerston North City Council and Waimakariri District Council, fail to meet any of the recommended oversight policies. Western Bay of Plenty fails to even have a separate Audit and Risk Committee, which is considered basic financial prudence.

Further reading...

• Methodology and Q&A
• Highest and lowest average rates
• Highest and lowest liabilities
• Highest and lowest staffing costs
• Auckland highlights
• Wellington highlights
• Canterbury highlights

Ratepayers' Report is made possible by members and supporters like you chipping into the cause. To support our work?click here to make an online donation via our secure website.

Thank you for your support.

Louis Houlbrooke Communications Officer New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

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