The Mayor of the Horowhenua district is defending big rate rises for some property owners in the region.
Some rural property owners who have been told their rates are to rise by up to 60% are asking the district council to reconsider.
Mayor Brendan Duffy says most Horowhenua residents feel rural dwellers have been benefiting from cheap rates for too long.
He says many in rural areas have enjoyed big rises in property values and need to pay their fair share of rates.
