February 03, 2026
The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is challenging Mayor Wayne Brown’s misleading claim that a rates cap would only save Auckland households the equivalent of a can of baked beans a month.
Josh Van Veen, spokesman for the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance, says:
“The numbers simply do not lie. In Auckland, average residential rates went up 20.9 percent between 2022 and 2025, from $2,992 to $3,617.33. A 2-4 percent rates cap would have saved the average Auckland household between $251.73 and $442.19 over the last three years.”
“It’s all laid out in the Rates Cap Savings Dashboard, using Auckland Council’s own numbers.”
December 16, 2025
The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is demanding a full breakdown of Mayor Wayne Brown’s historic 7.9 percent rates increase.On Monday, the council’s Budget and Performance Committee approved the mayoral proposal for public consultation early next year.
Earlier this month, the Ratepayers’ Alliance challenged Mayor Brown’s claim that the planned 7.9 percent rates rise is due to the cost of running the City Rail Link (CRL).
Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman Josh Van Veen said:
"The Long-term Plan budgeted an extra $294 million in rates revenue next year. Mayor Brown has always claimed that the increase was to cover the cost of the CRL.
"But the council has yet to put a specific number on how much of that can be attributed to the CRL.
"Yesterday, council officers indicated to the committee that nearly half of the rates increase could be due to factors other than the CRL, casting further doubt on the mayor’s claim.
"We are urging councillors to ensure the public consultation material includes a clear and detailed breakdown of what accounts for the extra $294 million that Aucklanders are going to pay in rates next year."
October 02, 2025
Responding to the Auckland Mayor's latest outburst - telling Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance members calling on the Mayor to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge to 'f*ck off' — Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesman, Sam Warren says:
"The comments are water off a duck's back. He's known as Mr Grumpy for a reason."
"Wayne Brown likes to frame himself as a ratepayer hero. He talks the talk, but won't walk the walk. Hundreds of incumbent and hopeful candidates around New Zealand have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge. Other cities' leaders are saying 'yes' and have signed the Pledge. So should Mr Brown."
"Unless Wayne Brown changes tack, he'll be delivering the highest ever rates hike for the Super City. He should be swearing about that."
October 02, 2025
We were on the fence about sharing this, but I think you should know what Wayne Brown has replied to the requests by our supporters for him to join hundreds of incumbent and prospective Mayors around New Zealand and sign the 2025 official Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
In short, Wayne Brown sent us a message in response to Aucklanders respectfully asking him to sign the Pledge.
Here's what he said:
Friend, telling ratepayers to 'f**k off' for asking him to commit to entirely reasonable positions is incredibly telling.
Even if he doesn't agree with keeping rates to inflation – he's thumbing his nose flicking the bird at committing to council spending transparency, and voting against more unelected appointments to council committees.
So much for "fixing Auckland", Mr Brown! 💩
Friend, voting turnout is extremely low – which means your vote matters more than ever. With less than 10 days to go, make sure you have voted, and please make sure you've voted for council candidates who have done the honourable thing and signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
To see which local candidates in your area have signed the Pledge, visit the Ratepayer Voting Guide @ Ratepayer.Vote
September 05, 2025
Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance has declared a major victory with the news today that democratic accountability will be returned to Auckland’s transport functions.
Sam Warren, a spokesman for the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance, said:
“We’ve pushed incredibly hard for these reforms, and finally decision making has been returned to democratically elected officials who ultimately answer to Aucklanders.”
“Auckland Transport has become a law unto themselves, wasting countless ratepayer dollars on projects neither wanted nor needed. Returning key decision-making powers to Auckland Council is the only possible solution to fix the massive disconnect.”
“We applaud the Mayor, and the Ministers for Auckland and Transport, for their work on this reform. But with our congratulations comes a challenge to the Mayor: no longer can Auckland Transport be blamed for reckless spending decisions. The Mayor has expressed his desire to find savings and reduce waste - now there is no excuse.”
“As the bill becomes law, we expect far greater use of ratepayer money on only the essentials. No more $60 million bills on road cones, or gold-plated cycle ways that are never used. This reform is a generational opportunity to get Auckland back to reality.”
August 26, 2025
The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance can reveal, through a request made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, that ratepayers have spent $237,561 on the ‘Whai’ light-up installation that is currently displayed at Silo Park.
“It’s incredulous for Auckland Council to demand an extra $300 million this year from ratepayers, only to get caught funding light-up art installations. Have they no shame?”
“Council’s controversial 5.8 percent rates increase, which we now know is much higher, has hit households incredibly hard. When families are choosing between paying for rates or paying for groceries, can we agree that this is not a good use of money?”
“Auckland Council has claimed the average rates bill is $4,069 – on that assumption, they’ve effectively spent 60 households’ worth of rates on this one thing. And to ask us for more money with a straight face is just insulting.”
“Only five months ago we called out Auckland Council’s ridiculous $560,000 ‘Rainbow Machine’, and hanging fairy lights in Silo Park for a quarter million dollars simply isn’t a priority for households. Stick to the basics and start treating our money with some respect, otherwise we’ll find new councillors who will.”
August 26, 2025
Auckland Council this week will vote on underwriting a $30 million events fund that could see rates rise a further 0.4 percent if the Government doesn’t allow them to charge a bed tax.
Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman Sam Warren said:
“Councillors have things completely backwards. They’ve just added an extra $300 million on top of last year’s revenue; cut some spending before demanding even more money.”
“Pleading poverty to government so they can host big events is ridiculous, but if they’re so desperate for $30 million, why not cut the $32-million-a-year food scrap bin programme? Less than a third of Aucklanders use the bins, and the scheme doesn’t even stack up environmentally either.”
“There will always be an excuse for more tax, but Auckland Council has only exploded in bureaucracy and costs. Let’s find savings, pay down debt, and lower the rates burden so we can actually afford to live in this increasingly unliveable city.”
August 25, 2025
The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance has today hailed 20-year old law student, Sean O’Loughlin, a Ratepayer Hero for his triumph over Auckland Transport and the illegal installation of raised crossings that cost ratepayers $667,000.
“This is truly a modern-day David and Goliath story. Auckland Transport have been a force unto themselves for too long, and it’s time someone took a stand.” said Auckland ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman, Sam Warren.
“With no clear accountability to ratepayers, AT have run rough-shod with our money in their efforts to impede traffic, no matter the cost.”
“Mr O’Loughlin has a promising legal career ahead of him, sticking up for the little guy no matter how well-funded the adversary.”
“A $667,000 price tag for three illegal raised crossings is criminal. Fortunately there is light at the end of the tunnel. Mayor Wayne Brown has today hinted at the imminent and much-anticipated reform that will bring AT back into the control of Auckland Council and its democratically accountable members.”
August 20, 2025
Rural property owners have been blind-sided by recent rates increases, criticising a lack of consultation and rates bills well in excess of the purported 5.8 percent average increase by Auckland Council.
Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman, Sam Warren, said:
“They’ve got every reason to be upset, these rate increases are just not sustainable. The solution is obvious; cap rates now so households aren’t forced to choose between paying rates or paying for groceries.”
“This whole exercise has shown a failure in the revaluation process, but it’s much bigger than that. Adding $300 million the bottom line has hit households hard, and Council needs to sort itself out by cutting costs and living within its means.”
“Franklin ratepayers smacked with a 30 percent higher rates bill are wondering if they’re getting 30 percent more from council – of course they’re not.”
“Rural property owners across the board have raised the issue of slipping through the cracks, paying for council services they don’t necessarily benefit from.”
“Auckland Council needs to answer how they’re planning to lower rates and improve transparency – the lack of consultation is appalling. Above all, they need to cap rates now and get this under control.”
August 18, 2025
Concerns have been raised that a manager has yet to be appointed to manage Auckland Council’s $1.3b Future Fund following the sale of Auckland Airport Shares.
Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman, Sam Warren, said:
“The Future Fund should be given to the NZ Super Fund to be invested – it doesn't need it's own manager."
“Australia’s special funds are handled like this, and it works well. So why try reinvent the wheel here? Auckland Council always make things more complicated than they have to be.”
“Eight months on and they still haven’t found a manager, leaving serious money on the table that otherwise could be used to pay down debt and get rates increases down. Let’s treat this with some urgency and make the right decision.”
