Perhaps this hypocrisy should be called rating rorts, because it never formed part of any elected member's 2016 election platform for obvious reasons. Community and Culture Committee councillors are delusional in thinking dealing to the ‘rich' on rates and giving credits to the poor is laudable and others give credence to this lunacy – all based on flawed assumptions.

TCC operates a Capital Value Rating Valuation regime with all properties paying fixed rating charges plus wastewater for services and infrastructure provided by TCC with balance of rates assessed on the capital value of ratepayers' property.

Let's just look at properties at either end of the spectrum. Reducing uniform rates for people with supposedly lower incomes won't work because of income scams and anyway rating on Capital Value already heavily penalises asset-rich and wealthy people but TCC councillors don't want to recognise that. Frankly, it just looks like another way to raise rates for wasteful ‘nice to have' spending splurges.

A recent media poll shows only one-third support this aberration. TCC's rating regime, as opposed to levels, is currently reasonably fair and those suffering hardship get rates rebate anyway.

R Paterson, Mount Maunganui.