November 20, 2014
New plan to tackle $28m rate bill
A Maori Land Court judge is considering an application that could change the way the Far North District Council collects rates on Maori land.
Judge David Ambler is hearing an application to form a Ngakahu ahu whenua trust covering 11 of the 12 titles in the 185ha Okahu block near Kaitaia.
At a hearing in the town this week, he heard that the majority of the 280 owners supported the move, but there were still some vocal opponents.
Far North Mayor John Carter told the court his council had negotiated a settlement of rate arrears on the block.
It wants to see Maori land becoming productive rather than accumulating rate arrears, which currently stand at $28 million across the district.
The council has a new policy of discussing rates with Maori owners instead of adding to the uncollectable monopoly money accumulating on its books.
Mr Carter says rating charges were unfairly applied to land in multiple Maori ownership and legislative changes could be required to stop over-charging Maori.
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