Posted on 17-4-2003

Not Quite AK47, AK03

Meeting 7.30-9.30pm Tuesday 29 April 2003 in the Lynfield Rm at the
Fickling Centre, cnr Mt Albert and Mt Eden Rd, Three Kings.

Background:

J Wightman of Epsom set the ball rolling a few weeks ago with his letter to
the NZ Herald:

" I read with mounting frustration that our council intends to put up rates
again, this time by 9%- despite their pre-election promises - and give
themselves a hefty pay rise into the bargain. I know Aucklanders have a
reputation for being apathetic about local government matters, but surely
we can't let that go ahead without some sort of protest. At this stage a
letter to the editor is the best I can do, but I look forward to hearing
news of more effective protests.

Tim Brubaker from Central Auckland elaborated on the point and called for a
partial rate strike:

" I don't know why supposedly democratic political parties worldwide feel
that written and verbal election promises are not contractually binding.
Case in point: if John Banks was elected because of a pledge to freeze
rates, then that, in my mind, is the true legislation. Either we have a
democracy or we have arbitrary rulers, and we would do well to dispense
with our pathetic doublethink and regain a spirit of vigilance towards our
freedom.

Banks is not king of Auckland, and neither are the city councillors dukes
and princes. They are representatives of the people of Auckland.

I would encourage households to simply continue paying the rates effective
on the date of John Banks' election, until his term of office is over. If
he complains, demand another election. If you never hold your leaders
accountable, the democracy quickly slips away."

Replies to a call by the East and Bays Courier for feedback on the idea of
a rates revolt has resulted in many calls from people in their 90', others
on low or fixed incomes who are worried about their ability to remain in
their homes once they are faced with rate rises of up to 20% which will be
on top on top of rate increases caused by revaluations as high as
30%. (Remember the ACRN promised that the total rate take would only rise
by changes in valuation or by increase in the number of rateable properties
(ie when more houses get built).

What Next? Proposals for Action !

The general feeling behind the views so far can be summed up as follows:

1.
John Banks and the ACRN lied to the public before they were elected in 2001
about their intention to freeze rates. Since then they have been actively
assisted to break their promises by the votes of Geoff Abbott and Bill
Christian who represent Tamaki Maungakiekie.

2.
Since the election, these lies, and their combined track record of blatant
disregard for the expressed views of a wide cross section of people and
communities and profligate spending, has resulted in a widespread loss of
confidence, trust and respect in their ability to act fairly on our behalf.

3.
We need to act to hold these politicians to their word. If they are not
prepared to keep their promises they should resign and put their new Bill
Birch inspired programme to the vote.

4.
As a means of demonstrating our shared intent to hold them accountable,
there appears to be widespread support for the a proposal that we refuse to
accept any more rate increases until such time as a new fair and equitable
rating system is agreed on by a majority of voters in an election or a
referendum.

5.
This refusal may take one of several forms including:

* Paying the rates effective on the date of John Banks' and the ACRN's
election in October 2001.

* Paying only the rates effective at the time of the recent (massive)
property revaluations and refusing to pay the additional taxes on waste,
footpaths,

* For those paying by instalments, withholding one or more payments from
September onwards, until such time as a new fair and equitable system is
agreed to.

6. Participation in this action would be purely voluntary, however for
those who do withhold payments, full and active support will be given to
any attempts by Council to coerce anyone to pay or to punish those who
refuse to pay.

These ideas will be discussed at the meeting on

When: Tuesday, 29 April Time: 7.30pm Where: Fickling Centre Main Hall,
Three Kings. If the proposals receive support from the meeting, the next
step will be for people from the same areas to get together to organise
further similar meetings in their home communities.