Some parts of the country are in for a sharper rates rise than others

Auckland councillors are voting today on whether to increase rates by five percent -- rather than the 3.5 percent previously planned before Covid-19 hit.

Wellington city councillors are voting on a 16-percent rates rise, rather than the 13.5-percent publicly consulted on.

Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby says other councils haven't been as affected by the pandemic, and have been able to avoid pushing up rates.

He says many councils have managed their way through Covid by drawing on reserves or use short-term borrowing to make up for the loss of revenue.