By Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers.
The people have spoken, and Auckland Council would be wise to listen carefully.
The overwhelming rejection of the Mayor’s proposed 7.9 per cent average residential rates increase should serve as a wake-up call for anyone who believes Rodney residents are quietly accepting the status quo.
The message from our communities was clear: people are deeply concerned about affordability, fairness, and whether Auckland Council is genuinely listening to outer areas like Rodney.
Following consultation on the proposed rates increase, around 90 per cent of submissions opposed it. That reflects growing frustration from ratepayers who feel they are continually being asked to pay more while receiving less in return. It is the same sentiment I regularly hear at local ratepayer meetings across Rodney.
What stood out most was not opposition to investment itself. Rodney residents understand roads, water systems, drainage, river clearances, flood resilience, and transport infrastructure all require funding. However, many submitters questioned why the proposed increase was largely tied to operating the City Rail Link when rural and outer communities will see little direct benefit.
For many residents, the daily reality remains potholes, unsafe roads, inadequate stormwater systems, unreliable public transport, and infrastructure struggling to keep pace with growth. Communities see billions invested in the CBD while longstanding local issues remain unresolved year after year, including the lack of meaningful investment into improving unsealed rural roads.
The consultation also highlighted growing anxiety from households already under financial pressure. Families, retirees, and residents on fixed incomes are increasingly asking where the limit is, particularly after significant rates increases last year.
Importantly, the feedback was not all pessimistic. People want good infrastructure and value for the rates they pay. I support reviewing the rating system, including increasing the Uniform Annual General Charge, as a way to spread the burden more fairly across Auckland while helping reduce pressure on Rodney ratepayers. Rodney residents are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for fairness — and that expectation is now firmly embedded across our communities.
