Groups agree to plan for boycott of ARC rate increases

Some groups opposed to the Auckland Regional Council's rate rises say they will begin a boycott of the increases.

Socialist Worker national secretary Grant Morgan said a meeting involving representatives from the Samoan community, the Auckland City Residents and Ratepayers' Association, Grey Power and the Water Pressure Group had voted unanimously to pay rates at the same level as last year.

He said the ARC had told ratepayers a 10 per cent penalty would be imposed on overdue rates. "But we believe they cannot do that if you put a bill in dispute."