John MacDonald: A rates referendum is a step too far

Author: John MacDonald,
Publish Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2026, 12:48pm

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I don’t know what to make of the fact that thousands of people have put their name to this petition calling for the Christchurch City Council’s rates increase to be paused and put to a referendum.

I don’t know what to make of it for a couple of reasons.

First of all, I’m not a petition guy. Because I don’t think they achieve much.

It’s very easy to stick your name on something. But does it achieve anything? No.

The other reason I can‘t believe people are getting behind this, is that they seem to have forgotten what city councillors are elected to do.

They’re elected to make decisions. And one of the biggest decisions they have to make every year, is how they’re going to spend ratepayer money.

Which means that, quite a lot of the time, they get criticised left, right and centre.

Like yesterday, when I was ripping into the council for getting involved in this apparent bid for a second professional NRL rugby league team.

But I’m not starting a petition over it. Because, while I might think it’s not what the council should be getting involved in, I respect the fact that it’s the job of the councillors around the council table to make the decisions.

Just like it’s their job to decide how much of a rates increase they need to hit us with to make the city tick.

Tell that to James Pawson, though. He’s the guy behind the petition. Who is saying today that the 7.35 percent rates increase the council has signed-off on is a burden and people should get to have a say before being expected to pay up.

He’s dreaming. Just like the 7,000-plus people who have put their name to the petition in the past 48 hours. No doubt us talking about it this morning will get more people adding their names.

One of James’ particular concerns, is the council including $15 million in the budget for the Anglican cathedral reinstatement.

His introduction to the online petition describes this particular spend as “staggering”. Saying: “It raises critical questions around funding priorities and equity, especially in an economic climate where many residents are already facing financial hardships.”

He says: “The decision to allocate $15 million of ratepayer money to a project that should arguably be funded by the Anglican Church sends the wrong message to the people of Christchurch who are directly affected by this rates increase.”

What James doesn’t say in his petition blurb, is that the council’s $15 million is dependent on the government chipping-in the same amount. And we know that’s never going to happen.

Yes, Winston Peters has pledged $15 million if he’s part of the next coalition. But that’ll be forgotten about.

Just like he was going to be the first person to walk into the Pike River mine. Remember that promise?

And whether I agree with the council wanting to spend more on the cathedral or not, it comes down to the fact that it’s the job of the council to make these decisions.

What’s more, if the people signing this petition want a referendum on this rates increase because they’re brassed-off about more of their rates going into the cathedral or whatever, what happens next time there’s something they disagree with?

Have another referendum? No thank you.

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