Est. 1972
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Page 3
Thursday, March 2, 2017
‘Our simple pleasure’
for hair that looks great and feels great
124096-V4
Vol 46, No 9
General 271 8000 ■ Classified 271 8055 ■ Delivery Enquiries 271 8014 ■ Website www.times.co.nz
1/10 The Terraces, 24 Wellington St, Howick 535 9554 salon@terraceshair.co.nz www.terraceshair.co.nz
The Stockade Hill Photo Competition run by the Howick Ratepayers and Residents Association (HRRA) was won with this telling image by John Spiller (Howick Local Board member) called “Sunrise on Stockade Hill’. HRRA chair Gayleen Mackereth said: “It links the themes of the sacrifice of our men, of the simple Howick pleasures of walking the dog while admiring the view and sunrise on the Gulf beyond and makes a statement that this is our highest point and our vantage point which nothing must dominate. “John has kindly declined the prize, donating it instead to our Howick Little Theatre gala fundraising evening on May 17. If you would like to attend, you can pay for your advance ticket now.
Eric Koh is on fire selling East Auckland. Eric Koh AREINZ M: 021 388 383
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Direct Freephone: 09 929 4433 E: e.koh@barfoot.co.nz www.barfoot.co.nz
121142
■ Appeal over for legal fees, see page 5
MAROLIAS FISHING CHARTERS Departs from Half Moon Bay Private or Shared Charters BEST PRICE!
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PS0773
Visitor tax ‘flawed’ By LAURA BROOKES
Festival fun P11
INSIDE Howick Village ............... P7 Classic car show ...... P12,13 Feedback ........................ P19 What’s On ..................P18,19 Classified ................. P26-30 Sport .......................... P31,32 Join us on facebook TimesOnlineNZ Keep up to date with news on TimesLive at www.times.co.nz
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ccommodation providers around east Auckland are up in arms about a proposed targeted accommodation rate by Auckland Council that could see their rates rise by a whopping 150 per cent. The proposal forms part of Auckland Council’s annual budget for 2017/2018 and will replace $27.8 million of general rates funding spent by council annually on visitor attractions and major events. All commercial accommodation providers, including hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, will be required to pay a rate that works out to be approximately four per cent of their revenue, which is expected to increase the cost of a nightly stay by around $6-$10 for a typical hotel when passed down to visitors. For most local motels, the
increase is estimated to reach 200 per cent, according to Howick Ward Councillor Dick Quax, and he’s not happy with what the proposed rate could mean for local providers. “Our local places are not necessarily filled with tourists; they are business people, and people visiting family or friends. These are the people who already pay taxes, so they would be hit again. “For many of our small local providers, it could potentially put them out of business. They’re left with three options – charge more, lay people off, or go out of business... [and] they work on a fairly small margin anyway.” General manager of Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, David Comery, expects his rates will triple from the current $200,000 per annum to more than $600,000 if the proposed rate increase goes ahead. “Waipuna operates in a part of
the market that is price-sensitive and particularly in the case of large conferencing, those same clients have options elsewhere in New Zealand. “The industry at large would not be opposed to contributing directly to the costs associated with attracting visitors to the city, [but] accommodation providers enjoy only 10 per cent of the visitor spend, and yet Auckland Council appears to be seeking full recompense for ATEED’s (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) operation from that one sector alone.” Mayor Phil Goff told the Times the additional charge is not expected to be a burden on the accommodation provider, but to hit tourists and visitors (both domestic and international) with the extra cost of funding tourism infrastructure and the work of ATEED. ➤ Turn to Page 3
UNFAIR: Quest Highbrook manager Brendan Kelly says the proposed targeted accommodation rate will hit Kiwi business travellers in the wallet, not tourists. Times photo Wayne Martin
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MP FOR BOTANY
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PO Box 230109, Botany, Auckland 2163
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Senior Stylist
Jenny Eastwood Jenny adds an exciting new dimension to our already talented team. In her short career Jenny has won multiple hairdressing industry awards and is already a Redken Artist ... Make a booking with her today!
1/10 The Terraces, 24 Wellington Street, Howick | Ph 535 9554 Email salon@terraceshair.co.nz | Web www.terraceshair.co.nz JH11983-V2