Nick Smith was elected mayor of Nelson in 2022. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith has launched his re-election campaign, with a pledge to keep rate increases over the next three years under 5 percent, except in the case of an extraordinary event like a natural disaster.
Smith, a former National MP, retired from Parliament in June 2021. He had been the MP for Nelson for 24 years and was elected mayor of Nelson in 2022.
He said the cost of living and the increase in rates were the biggest issues facing ratepayers in this year's local elections.
"Nelson's rate increases have been lower than most councils over the past three years, despite the huge costs of the August '22 storm damage, but we need to work harder at getting efficiencies and savings to keep rates down."
Smith said he was confident that the required investment in infrastructure and city revitalisation could be made while keeping future rate increases to under 5 percent. He signed the pledge at his campaign launch in Nelson on Friday evening.
"Nelson rates increased 38 percent during the decade 2010-20 as compared to inflation of 15 percent. My long-term goal is for rate increases to be in line with inflation and economic growth."
Smith said he could not achieve the rates cap alone and invited any other council candidates to make an under five rates pledge, which he said was a statement of common policy, not endorsement.
"There are wider benefits for Nelson from committing to rates increases of under 5 percent with many councils around New Zealand proposing ongoing double-digit rate rises. A commitment to under 5 percent will give Nelson a competitive advantage in attracting business, investment and people and help our economic recovery."
Smith joins current Nelson City councillor Aaron Stallard, Money Free Party New Zealand's Richard Osmaston and John Wakelin in contesting the Nelson mayoralty.
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