Police investigate death threats to Waitaki councillor over rates hikes

Police are investigating death threats made to a Waitaki District councillor who has called for steep rates hikes.

The council will increase rates by an average of 22 percent on 1 July.

In May, mayor Mel Tavendale conceded a 22 percent hike was unacceptable, but replaced a previously proposed 45 percent rise to plug a $14 million operating deficit.

Councillor Sven Thelning said the council should aim for a 45 percent increase, strictly based on the financials.

Angry locals made abusive comments and threats against him in comments on a community Facebook page after it was claimed he suggested people struggling with rates hikes should go to food banks and Powerswitch.

The council said Thelning reported the threats to police.

Police told RNZ they received a report of online threats against a person in Waitaki and were making enquiries.

The threats have since been removed with the page's owner apologising for what had been posted, saying Thelning had contacted him and shown the advice was being used out of context.

"I know Sven Thelning to be a strong minded, hard working, caring person who is a credit to himself and a valuable member of this community and I am sorry he has been so badly treated because he has been identified as a 45 percenter," the apology said.

Thelning said he accepted the apology and emphasised the majority of correspondence he had received was genuine.

"I have huge respect for the people who are organising in a peaceful, respectful and admirable manner - including those who have consistently called for positive community action," he said.

"You are being heard and we have a big job ahead to balance all factors in our decision. While people are entitled to be critical, I am not giving abusive comments the time of day and will leave it to the appropriate authorities to deal with."

Police were advising the council on maintaining safety for staff and elected members, the council said.

"Council has received a small number of abusive comments which are unacceptable - targeting council staff or breaching Facebook's standards. These are hidden or deleted, depending on the severity," the council said.

A protest against the rates rise is planned for 25 June.