Councils are taking millions of dollars of unpaid rates through people's mortgages. 

A little-known clause of the Local Government Act gives councils the power to force banks or finance companies to cover unpaid rates. 

It's used as a last resort after exhausting all other avenues to getting rates paid.

Taxpayers' Union Local Government Spokesperson, Sam Warren, says it wouldn't be needed as much if there was more sensible spending. 

"I want to see a lot more done by councils to rein in that spending and get rates down as low as possible so this doesn't happen." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Councils are taking millions of dollars of unpaid rates through people's mortgages.&nbsp;
A little-known clause of the Local Government Act gives councils the power to force banks or finance companies to cover unpaid rates.&nbsp;
It's used as a last resort after exhausting all other avenues to getting rates paid.
Taxpayers' Union Local Government Spokesperson, Sam Warren, says it wouldn't be needed as much if there was more sensible spending.&nbsp;
"I want to see a lot more done by councils to rein in that spending and get rates down as low as possible so this doesn't happen."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Sam Warren: Taxpayers' Union Local Government Spokesperson speaks out as councils chase up unpaid rates through mortgages

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/58d81503-fffb-48c9-a1ac-b2cd006c5517/transcript