"I could see that the rating system is fast going to become unsustainable," he said. "There's considerable amount of Crown land right around us and not one inch pays rates," Mr McDouall said. "It might be that you add one per cent to everyone's income tax across the board and your rates drop considerably." Mr McDouall took this idea to the Local Government New Zealand conference two years ago and had almost unanimous support. But the Government say they have no plans to review the Local Government (Rating) Act.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 21, 2016 05:15 UTC