17 May 2012

Call to support Mangawhai residents over steep rates rise

8:34 am on 17 May 2012

A Kaipara ratepayers group is calling for council resignations in the wake of the biggest ratepayers' demonstration in the district's history.

More than 2000 people in the small Northland coastal town of Mangawhai last weekend marched in protest over rate rises which in some cases will result in rate bills doubling.

Kaipara District Council is proposing an average rate increase across the district of 31% as it grapples with a debt of $80 million.

The Kaipara Citizens and Ratepayers Association is urging residents across the district to support people in Mangawhai.

Chairman Ron Manderson says the council has shown it is not competent to manage Kaipara's problems and the mayor and the deputy mayor should resign.

Mr Manderson says the Kaipara ratepayers group intends to hold a public meeting to organise another march.