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Far North District Council Rates Relief Policy

Posted in Submission, Regional; Tagged Accessibility, Racial discrimination, Housing, Maori sovereignty; Posted 8 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Far North District Council
Date: August 2025

 

Purpose

This submission aims to provide feedback to the Far North District Council on its Rates Relief Policy, advocating for the specific inclusion and improved accessibility for disabled people, particularly Tangata Whaikaha Māori, given Northland's high disability rate and the increased poverty risk faced by disabled individuals.

Summary of DPA submission

The submission highlights a clear absence of accessibility considerations and specific provisions for disabled people, including Tangata Whaikaha Māori, within the Council's Rates Relief Policy. It notes that disabled people in Northland face a significantly increased risk of poverty and are particularly vulnerable to impacts from severe weather events due to living in more accessible and affordable low-lying areas.


Key Recommendation:

That Council engage and collaborate with disabled, and Tangata Whaikaha Māori disabled and their representative organisations in Council processes and policy making.

 

Supporting Statement 1:

Northland has the highest rate of disability of any region in New Zealand, with a disability population rate of 23%, and disabled people in Northland face a significantly increased risk of living in poverty due to lower incomes and extra resource requirements compared to non-disabled people.

 

Supporting Statement 2:

The policy lacks specific provisions or policies addressing making rates relief more accessible to disabled people, and information about rates relief should be made available in accessible formats such as NZ Sign Language, Easy Read, and Braille, which would also assist in meeting council’s obligations under the Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy.

 
 

 

Download

DPA Submission 2508 Far North District Council Rates Relief Policy (DOCX)

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