Waitaki residents protest against 'unaffordable' rate hikes

Hundreds of Waitaki ratepayers have rallied against a 17 percent rates hike they say is unaffordable and will force people to choose between paying their bill or paying for necessities like power and food.

The Waitaki District Council backtracked on a 22 percent increase earlier this week after fierce public backlash that has included personal attacks against councillors.

Many people had been asking for a much smaller, single-digit increase.

Ratepayers gathered in cold and wet conditions in Ōamaru to present a petition against the increase signed by thousands of people to mayor Mel Tavendale.

Local Kathryn Bennett said ratepayers were still alarmed by the 17 percent figure and urged the council to listen to people's concerns.

"We have over 5000 signatures on this petition. People are struggling," she said.

"We can appreciate that things have to go up but really perhaps they should have kept it at no more than 10 percent so it does give people an opportunity to keep surviving in what is a very trying climate."

Renter Marion Houliston said while she did not pay rates, renters would feel the squeeze when landlords put up prices to cover rising costs.

Her granddaughter had recently bought a new home and Houliston was concerned about the impact on her and other property owners.

Houliston believed ratepayers would be forced to make difficult decisions about what they could afford and would have to make big sacrifices with essentials.

"People are going to have to decide what they're going to pay, whether it be power, whether it's food. It's just ridiculous going up as high as what they've had to do," Houliston said.

"It's going to affect everybody."

Tavendale acknowledged the protesters' concerns, telling the crowd rates increases affected residents, businesses and the wider community.

"I understand you're feeling real pressure. Your voices matter and it's important that council receives and recognises this input," she said.

Tavendale did not promise rates relief, prompting a loud chorus of boos from protesters.

In May, Waitaki councillors were considering three possible rates rises - 19 percent, 27 percent or 45 percent - to plug a projected $14 million operating deficit.

On Tuesday, Tavendale said rate-setting was difficult given residents' financial strain on one side and years of operating deficits, rising costs and water services requirements on the other.

She said the council could use a $1 million dividend from Whitestone Contracting and take advantage of easing inflationary pressures, although the move was not without financial risk because it meant missing the 30 June statutory deadline for setting its rates.

Tavendale has condemned the personal attacks and abuse received by councillors and staff, as police investigate death threats made against one councillor.