$0.5m in rates written off

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 648, 6 August 1996, Page 5

$0.5m in rates written off

More than half a million dollars in rates were written off by the Ruapehu District Council in the 1995-96 financial year, councillors were told at their last meeting. The write-offs mainly pertain to unimproved Maori land in multiple ownership, which follows the council' s policy on such land. Council chief executive officer Cliff Houston said the Maori land rates review process was now well advanced and that the council' s debtors were now at a realistic, collectable level. Cr Stuart Shaw asked if there were development plans for any of the Maori land in question.

Mr Houston said there were one or two forestry developments mooted in the south of the district. Cr Kevin Amohia said he knew of a few families who were looking at forestry for smaller blocks but that many Maori landowner groups did not like forestry development because it soured the ground and that there was concern at the effects of pine pollen on people' s health. Rates collection percentages have steadily improved in the past six years, the council was shown. The percentage collected in the year rated was 86% in 90/91 ; 89.4% in 91/92; 91.4 in 92/93; 92.0 in 93/94; 94.8 in 94/95; and 96.1 in 95/96. ■