Nick signed at his Campaign Launch at Lambretta’s Café on August 8th a commitment not to support any rate increase in excess of 5% over the next three years. He did so because the cost of living is the biggest current issue facing Nelsonians and rates are a significant cost for families and businesses. Statistics NZ has noted in July that the greatest contribution to inflation over the last year has been Council rates. Nelson’s increases have been lower than most Councils, despite the huge extra costs of repairs from the Aug ’22 storm, but our Council needs to work harder at keeping the costs of rates affordable.

The Mayor is just one vote of thirteen around the Council table. There needs to be a majority in support of a 5% cap for it to become Council policy. That is why he has also invited the 31 candidates for Council to also sign the “Under Five Pledge”. This will help voters make an informed decision on this pertinent issue at the election and to help set the direction of Council for the next term. Many Councils are planning double digit rate rises for many years ahead. It will help Nelson attract business, investment and people if our Council is committed to rate increase of less than five %.

The specific commitment is :

I, hereby, pledge that in each of the next three years , 26/27, 27/28 & 28/29, I will not support an average rate increase in excess of 5%, except in an extraordinary event like a natural disaster.

The following Council candidates in order, by ward, that have signed : 

AT LARGE  

Cr Tim Skinner - Jeremy Matthews - Nigel Skeggs - Chris Baillie - Keith Palmer

CENTRAL WARD   

Cr James Hodgson  - Lisa Austin - Marie Lindaya

STOKE/TAHUNANUI WARD

Cr Mel Courtney - Valmai Palatchie - Dan Robinson - Mike Nicholls