Does the Minister agree with Mayors Phil Mauger and Mel Tavendale and LGNZ that many of the drivers of rates’ increases, such as government mandates, inflation, insurance and interest rates, are out of their Council’s control and, if so, has he had any advice on whether those costs could or should be excluded from the rates cap?

Answered Reply

Question published: 7 September 2026
Reply lodged: 15 September 2026

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

Does the Minister agree with Mayors Phil Mauger and Mel Tavendale and LGNZ that many of the drivers of rates’ increases, such as government mandates, inflation, insurance and interest rates, are out of their Council’s control and, if so, has he had any advice on whether those costs could or should be excluded from the rates cap?

Answered by

Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

I agree that many factors drive council rates, and that councils can control some more than others. Consideration of what should and should not be included in the rates cap during the policy development process.