The chair of the commissioners running the Kaipara District Council in Northland says it's important people keep paying their rates for the good of the district.
Leaders of a rates rebellion by Mangawhai residents are urging people not to pay, claiming the rates are illegal.
Commissioner John Robertson says he believes the rates were legally struck this year, even though the council was late in presenting its long-term plan.
He says the council needs rates to provide essential services and it would not help if the Mangawhai rebellion were to spread.
Kaipara Ratepayers chairman Ron Manderson says the mood of the district is volatile and could well turn mutinous unless low- income people are given some relief.
