July 19, 2016
Council heeds rate remission call
Dunedin City Council will develop a rates remission policy for Maori land.
The move by the council’s finance committee was in response to a submission from the Ngai Tahu Maori Law Centre to the annual plan process.
It is likely to apply to Maori freehold land not producing revenue.
Councillor Jinty MacTavish says it was only fair and right' the council took into account cultural differences in the way Maori land was viewed, with Maori seeing themselves as kaitiaki rather than owners.
She says there are already policies around remissions, and the new policy could be a more culturally appropriate option for what is already existing practice.
The policy will be developed in consultation with Maori groups before going to a vote of the full council.
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