Bold Approach Needed From Auckland's Next Mayor

“Aucklanders need more than platitudes and vague promises to fix things from their next Mayor,” says Affordable Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry, in response to today’s candidacy announcement by Mark Thomas. “Residents want and deserve concrete positions on issues such as rates and housing which determine just how affordable living in Auckland can be.”

Mr. Berry, who finished in third place in the 2013 Mayoral elections has already committed to keeping all future rates increases below the level of inflation if he is elected Mayor. “I’m serious when it comes to respecting the money of hard working home owners. This means I’m prepared to stand on a platform of funding only those core services specified in the Local Government Act, such as footpaths, public parks and waste collection. Council cannot continue to fund non-essential frivolities such as public art and the subsidisation of events when it results in ratepayers facing double digit rates increases year after year.”

Affordable housing is another issue which Mr. Berry believes needs a bold response, rather than the usual tinkering Aucklanders have come to expect from the current crop of politicians. “This means dealing with the issue of supply by getting council of the way of productive developers, streamlining consents processes and abolishing the Metropolitan Urban Limit to allow a greater spread of residential construction. Special Housing Areas are an inadequate response to the housing affordability crisis; we need to create an environment where the market is free to cater to demand unhindered by politicians. Respect for private property rights must prevail over NIMBYism if this is to be achieved.”

“Auckland’s current issues can all be traced back to excessive interference from a myriad of local body politicians. The next Mayor of Auckland needs to be an individual who recognises the solutions come from Council taxing, spending and interfering less in our private affairs.”

ENDS

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