The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is accusing council officials of being out of touch with struggling households as Wellington City Council celebrates a 5.8 percent rates hike.

This comes off the back of a 47 percent rates hike over just the last three years.

Alliance spokesman James Ross says ratepayers have every right to be frustrated.

“Inflation is 3.1 percent, yet rates are still rising at nearly twice that rate next year. Why do Council seem to be celebrating that as a win?”

”The rich listers responsible for the rates hike might have pay packets large enough to shield them from the cost increase. But that isn’t the case for most Wellingtonians.”

“The fact anyone believes ratepayers should be grateful for a smaller increase than previous years shows spending discipline has collapsed inside Wellington City Hall. Ratepayers aren’t an endless money pit.”