The Government has swiftly rejected Auckland mayor Wayne Brown's proposal that they pay rates on their Auckland properties.

Mayor Brown believes the city would benefit from $400 million worth of revenue if the rates were paid on Government buildings- and if the GST charged on rates was given back.

He says this scheme would have solved the Government's challenge of helping people through a cost of living crisis.

"The tax on this GST on rates is a land tax- if they give that back, they'll help everybody. It'd solve their problem, bingo. They should thank me."

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