First bills under new system for Aucklanders

Auckland ratepayers can expect their first bill under the new single rating system this week.

The council's adopted an average rates increase of 3.6 percent for the 2012/2013 year, following the amalgamation of all councils in the region.

Thousands of homeowners will be facing increases of up to ten percent, with those affected living in Remuera , Mt Roskill and Howick.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says that means some people's rates will go up, while some will go down.

"You'll have re-access to those within our council organisation, you'll be able to call, you'll be able to go online. I will be available, our councillors will be available, to deal with any inquiries."

He says it's purely a result of the amalgamation.

"Nothing to do with the management of council's budgets, or what projects we're doing, or how we're directing in terms of the investment of this council into the city's future."

And he says the amalgamation has highlighted a problem facing homeowners around the country.

"One of these days the nation will have to address the issue that funding local government based on rates and land values is not very equitable and certainly not for the elderly."

Mr Brown says all his council can do to help the elderly at the moment is see they get rates rebates, and the issue of how to fund local bodies in the future is a discussion for another day.

Mr Brown says one day New Zealand will have to address whether rates should be the way to fund local government.

Photo: NZ Herald