An Auckland rates campaigner says relief measures may be needed for residents caught by rate rises when the super-city introduces a uniform charge.
The Cabinet has finalised plans for Auckland governance, which include a decision to maintain rates structures as they are until 2012.
The founder of lobby group No More Rates, David Thornton, says there may need to be a longer phase-in period for significant rates changes than the three years allowed for by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.
Mr Thornton says relief measures should be available to cushion increases which he says could be up to 600%.
He says limits need to be placed on what the Auckland super-council can charge and it should look at alternative means of funding its programme.
