PHOTO: West Coast Regional Council’s governing body is made up of seven publically elected councillors representing the following constituencies, Buller, Grey and Westland.
A 71-year-old Hokitika pensioner, Liz Whiteside, is leading a one-woman rate strike in protest against the West Coast Regional Council’s rising rates. Whiteside has written to all seven regional councillors and the council’s chief executive, Darryl Lew, criticizing the substantial increases in her rates. She stopped paying her WCRC rates three years ago after a 30% hike, and this year’s average 27% increase has only intensified her frustration.
Whiteside, who lives on a superannuation of about $1,000 a fortnight, says the regional rates are becoming unaffordable for pensioners like herself. Despite already paying $125 every two weeks for Westland District rates—which have risen 18% this year—Whiteside doesn’t mind because she receives essential services like water and sewerage from the district council. However, she feels the regional council isn’t providing services relevant to her property.
She specifically criticized the floodwall being constructed along the Hokitika River, claiming it’s unnecessary. Having lived on her property for 44 years, she says the river has never come close to flooding the surrounding homes, and it would need to rise four more meters to pose a threat.
The council has referred her unpaid rates to debt collection, and she now owes $1,194.12, an amount she cannot afford. Despite this, Whiteside refuses to open the letters from the debt collectors. She offered to pay $20 every two weeks for three years, which is all she can manage, but she is determined to resist any attempt by the council to sell her home to recover the debt.
Regional council chair Peter Haddock contacted Whiteside after learning about her concerns. He emphasized that the council doesn’t want to force anyone out of their homes and suggested that she reach out to the rates team to arrange an affordable payment plan. Haddock noted that Whiteside’s rate increase might not be as high as she feared, estimating it at around 15%.
Councillor Allan Birchfield, who raised Whiteside’s complaint, acknowledged that many West Coast pensioners are struggling with the rate increases, questioning the value they receive for their money. Birchfield also criticized the council’s growing staff numbers, stating that many employees earn over $100,000 a year.
Haddock responded by explaining that the council had to hire contractors in recent years, but they have since filled long-standing vacancies with permanent staff. The council has had to borrow funds to cover the costs of the Te Tai o Poutini District Plan, a mandate from the Local Government Commission, as well as river works and flood protection schemes, which are repaid by landowners through additional rates over time.
SOURCE: 1NEWS