MEDIA RELEASE

25 Council Candidates Agree to Keep Rates Down with Ratepayer Protection Pledge

22 AUGUST 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is releasing its list of candidates who have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which prevents those candidates from voting for any measures which increase the total average burden of rates, levies, and other compulsory Council charges, more than 2% per annum.

Jo Holmes, spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance, says:

“To date, 25 candidates have agreed to sign the pledge. Those who have agreed to keep levy or rate hikes under 2% include all Communities and Residents candidates, and four mayoral candidates.”

“Although Auckland Future candidates have confirmed that they will not be signing our pledge, they insist that their own pledge achieves the same outcomes. Albany candidate Lisa Whyte said their pledge is ‘complementary to yours’ and that they are ‘committed to the same values’. Whilst disappointed Auckland Future candidates are not signing, we anticipate them holding fast to their assurances that they will limit annual rate increases to an average of no more than 2%, and honour their own pledge”.

“We are delighted with the response from Council candidates. The 25 candidates that have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge alongside Auckland Future’s 10 candidates is more than enough to fill the Council with candidates who have agreed to reset Auckland Council’s culture of waste and high rates.”

“The Ratepayer Protection Pledge will help voters to make their decision in the local elections. We will also be publishing How to Vote guides closer to election day, to ensure voters are fully informed which candidates are committed to reasonable rates and sensible spending.”

The candidates who have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge are:

Mayoral
• Mark Thomas
• John Palino
• Stan Martin
• Binh Thanh Nguyen
Councillors
Albany Ward
• John Watson
• Wayne Walker
Albert-Eden-Roskill
• Christine Fletcher
• Benjamin Lee
• Greg McKeown
• Bridgette Sullivan-Taylor
Howick
• Dick Quax
• Sharon Stewart
• Ian Colin Ireland
North Shore
• Grant Gillon
• John Hill
Orakei
• Desley Simpson
Rodney
• Greg Sayers
• Steven Garner
• Holly Southernwood
Waitakere
• John Riddell
• David Rankin
Waitematā and Gulf
• Mike Lee
• Bill Ralston
• Rob Thomas
Whau
• Anne Degia-Pala
•
ENDS

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