In his column, Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris (The Weekend Sun, November 22, page 22) states 'Our neighbours, the Western BOP District Council, are no longer the highest rated council in the country with Auckland taking that ‘honour' but it should be noted that both Auckland and Nelson councils are ‘unitary authorities' meaning they are both a regional and city council.”

Unfortunately, Councillor Morris is not comparing apples with apples. He should have explained that Auckland provides its residents with the same range of services that we get from district council and regional council combined. If the average residential rates charged by the regional council are added to those of our district council, WBOPDC ratepayers are paying total rates of $3492 compared to Auckland's $3387. We are still the highest-rated council in New Zealand.

K Hay, Waihi Beach

Cr Morris did note in his column that both Auckland and Nelson are unitary authorities and both regional and local councils. - Editor