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Western Bay of Plenty mayor defends district's high rates

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Sep 2019, 3:55PM
Residents in the Western Bay of Plenty, such as those of Pukehina, are paying the second-highest rates in the country. Photo / File

Western Bay of Plenty mayor defends district's high rates

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 18 Sep 2019, 3:55PM

A rural mayor is accusing some of his counterparts of keeping rates artificially low.

New research from the Taxpayers' Union shows the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has had the country's highest rates for the past three years.

Average rates there are twice as high as rates in Southland, South Waikato and Mackenzie Districts.

Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber told Mike Hosking other politicians in other councils are putting off important infrastructure work.

"They are more focused on their re-election processes than they are protecting their districts from long term infrastructure issues."

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