The Ashburton District Council rates are the fourth lowest in the country, according to the latest report from New Zealand Taxpayers' Union. The districts below Ashburton on the rates table were Grey ($1846), Mackenzie ($1796) and Southland ($1737). Timaru was 11th cheapest with $2062, while Auckland topped the rates table on $3387. The Taxpayers' Union report shows Ashburton District with a population of 34,500 and 15,241 ratepayers and covering an area of 6183 square kilometres. The total operating expenses of Ashburton District Council per household was $5928, ranking it 20th out of 66 councils.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 09, 2019 16:07 UTC