Photo: 123rf
Auckland's billion-dollar budget passed last week, which means the city's households will soon be paying into a dedicated fund to help tackle climate change.
The so-called Climate Action Budget got the green light from 14 members of the governing body - with seven voting against - and will be formally adopted at the end of this month.
Outgoing Auckland mayor Phil Goff had pressed the need for greater investment to reduce emissions across the super city. As such, an average 5.6 percent rates increase will include the Climate Action Targeted Rate - aimed at generating over half a billion dollars over the next decade.
For the median-value home of a million dollars in Auckland - it'll mean paying just over an extra dollar per week...or about $58 per year.
Kathryn is joined by councillors Richard Hills, who is also chair of the Environment and Climate Change committee, and Daniel Newman, who voted against the budget out of concern Council services are already stretched too thin.
