Protest builds over Rodney rates fallout

We understand it’s difficult, but it is what it is – that was the impression left by Auckland Council finance leaders after an online meeting called to explain Rodney’s recent massive rate hikes. The August 21 webinar attracted more than 300 people keen to question why there had been no warning of rates bill increases well above the much-vaunted 5.8 per cent average (MM, Aug 18). Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers opened the meeting, saying there was “a lot of hurt, a lot of confusion, a lot of anger” about why rate increases were so much higher than expected. “Very upset ratepayers have rightly be...