Advocates for older people in Rotorua say the district’s average 8.8 per cent rates rise is “ridiculous” and will hit superannuants already struggling with high living costs hard.

The first payment instalment for 2023-24 is due on August 20 after Rotorua Lakes Council signed off the rates increase last month. It would add about $190 to the rates bill of a home valued at $755,000 and about $330 for a $1.32 million home. 

The mayor says the council explored “every opportunity” to cut costs, and the rates rise is needed to fund safe and reliable infrastructure. 

Rotorua retiree Gerald Hanson said if he and his wife, who now live in a retirement community, still owned their home in Ngongotahā, “there would be a lot of money going out” each month. Hanson said he believed the rise was “going to hit people very hard”. “I would say with fuel prices going up as well and the food prices jumping, it’s going to be tough. I have no idea what next year’s going to bring.”

Grey Power Rotorua president Michelle Nahu said the rates rise had not come at a good time for anybody. But for the elderly, “it’s probably a worse time”. “If you’re on a super, we all know that unless you’ve paid for your retirement, it’s not a very good time. It’s sad because they’ve worked all their lives. They’ve contributed to our community forever. They’ve retired, and now they’re living on a pension that’s not enough to meet their living costs.” 

 

Nahu said Grey Power Rotorua would be increasing its communications and other activities in the next year to engage with local pensioners. “We want to know when they’re struggling,” Nahu said.

“Grey Power is about all the elderly in our community. You don’t have to be a member to reach out. Our office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Just pop in and I’m sure one of our volunteers will be on-hand to help.”

Edited from the original article by the Daily Post