Colossal rate hikes are looming for homeowners as councils contend with rising construction and insurance costs. 

Local Government New Zealand says rates around the country will rise by an average of 15%.

It says the main factor contributing to the rates escalation is the costs of civil construction. 

Vice President Campbell Barry told Mike Hosking that these costs are 20% higher now than predicted, and that’s on top of inflation. 

He says bridges have gone up around 36% over the last three years, and similar increases are seen with roads and water networks.

LISTEN ABOVE

Colossal rate hikes are looming for homeowners as councils contend with rising construction and insurance costs.  
Local Government New Zealand says rates around the country will rise by an average of 15%.
It says the main factor contributing to the rates escalation is the costs of civil construction.  
Vice President Campbell Barry told Mike Hosking that these costs are 20% higher now than predicted, and that’s on top of inflation.  
He says bridges have gone up around 36% over the last three years, and similar increases are seen with roads and water networks. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition, hosted by Kate Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Campbell Barry: Local Government NZ Vice President on the looming rate hikes to contend with rising construction costs

Unlike the US, the UK is not withholding arms to Israel.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that their position is not comparable with that of the US, since the UK is not a large state-to-state arms supplier to Israel.

However, they don’t support a large-scale invasion of Rafah unless there is a plan to protect civilians in place.

UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that what the UK provides is export licenses for UK weapons manufacturers to export to Israel.

He said that it’s a very different situation, and the UK is not going to retract those licenses. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Unlike the US, the UK is not withholding arms to Israel. 
Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that their position is not comparable with that of the US, since the UK is not a large state-to-state arms supplier to Israel. 
However, they don’t support a large-scale invasion of Rafah unless there is a plan to protect civilians in place. 
UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that what the UK provides is export licenses for UK weapons manufacturers to export to Israel. 
He said that it’s a very different situation, and the UK is not going to retract those licenses.  
LISTEN ABOVE

Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on the UK continuing to allow weapons manufacturers to export to Israel

There's doubts a potential raising of the international visitor levy will impact tourism numbers.

Overseas visitors pay $35 collected through visa applications, which is evenly split between conservation and tourism.

Speaking at the TRENZ conference, Tourism Minister Matt Doocey says that advice he's received shows it would have to rise to about $42 in today's market.

Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association chair Haydn Marriner told Mike Hosking that's just the cost of business.

He says to expect the same value from that $35 today is to ignore everything we've always had.

LISTEN ABOVE

There's doubts a potential raising of the international visitor levy will impact tourism numbers. 
Overseas visitors pay $35 collected through visa applications, which is evenly split between conservation and tourism. 
Speaking at the TRENZ conference, Tourism Minister Matt Doocey says that advice he's received shows it would have to rise to about $42 in today's market. 
Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association chair Haydn Marriner told Mike Hosking that's just the cost of business. 
He says to expect the same value from that $35 today is to ignore everything we've always had. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Haydn Marriner: Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association Chair on potentially raising the international visitor levy

Archives New Zealand's shutting down its digital archiving programme.

It's part of an initiative to digitise historically significant images and documents.

But the agency says it's been unable to secure further funding, and it will have to cut at least three jobs.

Historian Paul Moon told Mike Hosking that this is important work and should remain.

He says the Government should cobble together the small amount of funding needed to keep it going.

LISTEN ABOVE

Archives New Zealand's shutting down its digital archiving programme. 
It's part of an initiative to digitise historically significant images and documents. 
But the agency says it's been unable to secure further funding, and it will have to cut at least three jobs. 
Historian Paul Moon told Mike Hosking that this is important work and should remain. 
He says the Government should cobble together the small amount of funding needed to keep it going. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Campbell Barry: Local Government NZ Vice President on the looming rate hikes to contend with rising construction costs

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