When Tauranga city's new rates are struck at a council meeting this afternoon there will not be confusion about the amount.

Watchdog group, Citizens Advocacy Tauranga, claimed the rates increase would be 14.9 per cent instead of the 10.9 percent stated by council.
That argument has been settled, says councillor Rick Curach – and steps will be taken to prevent similar confusion arising in future.
The rates rise announced today will be 10.9 per cent.
CAT also attacked Tauranga's ‘low rates' reputation, saying water and
comparisons with rates in other cities will in future be on a fair and accurate ‘apples with apples' basis, says Rick.
'Such policies will ensure the public will receive accurate and consistent information from council and will avoid confusion, as has occurred recently,” says Rick.
Comparing municipal costs is not only a Tauranga problem. Work is being undertaken by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) to achieve consistency nationwide, but this will take time to work through, leaving Tauranga City Council a possible leader in such policy development.