Waikato, NZ – Tuakau - Pokeno ward councillor candidate Fabio Rodrigues announced today that if elected he will convince council to deliver rate relief to hardworking families, seniors, and local businesses through his Bring It Home Rate Cut plan. Unlike the current council, which continues to hike rates while delivering less, Rodrigues has a real plan to bring costs down and restore faith in local government.
“For too long, council has been taking more and delivering less,” said Rodrigues. “Roads are crumbling, services are stretched thin, and yet rates keep going up. My plan is simple: stop the waste, put the community first, and bring rates back down to earth.”
Since 2019, Waikato District Council rates have increased by over 30%. Residents are paying more for less while council spending continues to balloon. It’s no wonder trust in council is at an all-time low. Rodrigues’ BRING IT HOME Rate Cut will fix that.
The Plan
Independent Council Spending Audit
We’ll launch a full, line-by-line review of council spending to root out waste and identify savings. Ratepayers deserve to know where every dollar goes and what’s coming back.
Hiring Freeze on Non-Essential Roles
The council will freeze all new non-essential hires until core services are restored. The priority will be fixing roads, maintaining infrastructure, and protecting frontline services.
Zero-Based Budgeting
Every department must justify every dollar. No carry-overs. No blank checks. We start from zero and work up just like households do.
Targeted Rate Relief by July 2026
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5% rate cut for all residents
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10% cut for local businesses
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Additional 10% cut for seniors and large families
Verification System
A simple, transparent way for eligible households to apply for additional relief based on real need not red tape.
Public Consultation and Binding Vote by June 2026
This plan won’t be forced through behind closed doors. The community will have a voice and a vote on the final package.
It’s Time to Put the Community First
The current council has failed to prioritise everyday people. They’ve focused on pet projects, consultants, and bureaucracy while families, farmers, and small businesses carry the load.
Rodrigues is pledging to bring back common sense. “When you pay more, you expect better. But in Waikato, people are paying more and getting worse. I’ll change that. My focus is simple: roads, services, rates and real accountability.”
