March 26, 2026 • 7 mins
Michelle Watt looks at local rates rises and why communication needs to be the key around them.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome back to the Master.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Michelle What, executive producer of the Country, joins us in
this week's Country Crossover.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Good afternoon, Michelle, afternoon.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
And it's been a big week, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
It's been pretty full on.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
So I thought a little bit of Jamiroquai just to
calm the mood on a Friday. But straight off the bat,
the Gord District Council has agreed to an eleven percent
rates rise for rate players, but apparently there hasn't been
a lot of consultation with the public. Now the Gord
District Council either put themselves in the lights for the
wrong reasons. Over the past three years, rates have gone
up by over forty percent on a cumulative basis, which
(00:43):
is ridiculous.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
And I think now with people suffering even more in
the pocket, it's tough to take that rates rise, isn't
it for everybody? Not just homeowners, but those who are
landlords who are renting properties. They take that head as well.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
You just cannot continue to pile things up under rate
players and expect them to suck it up. I mean,
communication is a major thing at the moment, and you
you just got to keep doing it.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, don't feel like there's a lot of ambiguity and
not so much communication or good communication going on with
a lot of issues down on the Gore District Council.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Is there any Federative farmers Jason Herrick in particular, they've
been on their high horses, And yeah, I'm fair enough
too regarding the Gourd District Council over proposed district plan
rules requiring landovers to assess agricultural activities against Natahu cultural values.
And I think again as well, this just comes down
to dialogue. It just needs to come into play. It's
(01:38):
been lacking.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yeah, I think the communication around that has not been
particularly great. I mean there's been no explanation about what
any of it really means or what it means for
people doing plans, which is really interesting, and it's kind
of driving the narratives the wrong way in a way
because people are getting all stressed and worried about it
when they don't know what they're worried about really at
(02:02):
the moment, because they hadn't really been explained.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And there's a lot of people still frustrated if you
go back a few years the new building going in there.
But look, it's there, you've just got to deal with it.
But eleven percent is taking the pass. Oh.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
I think eleven percent is a lot of money from
most people, on top of what you're already paying for rates,
and also that money what it's going to as well
towards of course, it does go towards lots of things
in the district that we use every day without thinking
about it. But it's a lot to taken when it's
eleven percent.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
I think everything in general, though, we're finally down here
in the South. The weather's been more settled lately and
people have been just a little bit more relaxed, saying, yeah,
we've got the prices, everything's good. The New Zealandery Industry
Association Awards. I was down there for the Southlantago Region
on Tuesday and it was a really cool event.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Yeah, it's nice to see the sun. I think a
bit of wartth always puts a smile on people's faces.
I have heard that a little bit of rain is
needed down south, yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Certain parts other parts bonds are other ones not so much.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah, And it's the same in some parts of the
North Island. They were looking for rain. A little bit
of rain as well. For a bit of growth. Obviously
Canterbury had a bit too much. The arable farmers, we're
doing it quite hard for the last few months trying
to get harvest out. But yeah, it's nice to see
the sun a bit of warmth and a bit of
set or where they always puts smiles on people's faces.
And I think it's that mindset to, isn't it. When
you've got so much negative stuff going on in the world,
(03:22):
sometimes you just had to switch all that off and
try not to look at it too much as you can,
because having a break from it, I think is a
good thing.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, I spoke to Leon Black earlier in the Yellour
and you just put things into context and you can
only control what you control, and ultimately we just got
to celebrate the positives of the season where we have
seen record prices around the sectors.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Absolutely control the controllables and that is a massive actually
in sports psychology, and that's one of the biggest ones,
is controlling what you can control, not worrying about the
things you can't. You can't control the weather you can't
control as something out of your control going wrong. The
weather obviously is the biggest one and one of the
examples I can think of is actually, do you remember
(04:02):
the swimmer Michael selps, Yes, yes, So he used to
actually get in the poll, cut his glasses halfway and
swim was broken goggle so that he could be prepared
for that to happen. So being prepared for the things
you can control is also a big part of mindset
as well. So just take a step back sometimes, especially
feeling but overwhelmed, to think about those things that you
(04:23):
can take care of, things that you can change, things
that you can fix, and things that you can't. You've
just got to write it through. And there's some great tips.
I'll tell you what. Farmstrong have got some amazing tips
on that on their website if you want to check
out more.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
It's interesting you use that analogy because I've talked about
it with Shannon before. Just some drives when it's a
random conversation starter. What would you rather go without for
twenty four hours in the car? Wipers or headlights?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (04:48):
There you go these something to ponder.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I need headlights? You think you need heit? Oh my
new could pull hasn't had a nap? Couldn't ye? Just
wait for the daytime.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Well, there you go.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
It's open to interpretation, so I'm just putting it out
for out there for you. Of course, you're talking about
the sectors. A shout out to the arable guys as well.
Hopefully you guys are getting through the season two. It's
been a trying one Highlanders against my one in Pacificia.
Have you lost faith in your Highlanders?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Oh? I think you and I spoke about this earlier
in the weekend about how supporting the Highlanders could be
a bit like Stockholm syndrome. So you can't you can't
leave the Highlanders. You know, once you're supporting a targo,
you're in for life. You're a life.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
It's a target. It's a target.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Exactly, It's a tiger. You can't change it. And unfortunately, yes,
they started off with a hiss and a role with
that great game at home against the Crusaders, but things
that the wheels had kind of fell off the last
two games. The last game that I saw the score
of and with the Hurricanes, I had to read the
score about three times because I couldn't quite believe that
that had happened.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
But this new stadium, that the new stadium, it wasn't
twenty eleven twenty ten. But apparently they're going to put
curtains siders into it, so you can split it into
three different sizes. Now what's the going to cost?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, it could be interesting, I think looking they need
to look at ways though, that that stadium can be
used in different ways, and they need to start diversifying
it and looking into things like that. Is not a
bad idea. Obviously, curtains can sometimes out with acoustic side
of things as well, with noise and of absorbing sound
and stuff, so maybe it or with concerts and things
(06:22):
that might be used in that respect as well. But
I think they definitely just start looking at diversifying or
finding ways that that stadium can be used in more aspects,
because otherwise it's just going to end up costing the
rate payers here money to be sitting there.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Et is the costing money at the moment, not But.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
I'm not I have to have a look Andy, I'm
actually not quite sure on those statistics.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
No, there's something for next time, Michelle. We'll let you
carry on go the lenders. Heaven knows the need all
the help after last week, and you enjoy the weekend
and always appreciate your time. You Catul at It, Michelle What,
and the country Crossover. This is the Muster Friday afternoon
before we wrap up.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Phil Dagon of
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Weather Watch Up next, though, we'll talk about as Code,
Jason Pie and news Talk Zimbi
Welcome back to the Master.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Michelle What, executive producer of the Country, joins us in
this week's Country Crossover.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Good afternoon, Michelle, afternoon.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
And it's been a big week, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
It's been pretty full on.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
So I thought a little bit of Jamiroquai just to
calm the mood on a Friday. But straight off the bat,
the Gord District Council has agreed to an eleven percent
rates rise for rate players, but apparently there hasn't been
a lot of consultation with the public. Now the Gord
District Council either put themselves in the lights for the
wrong reasons. Over the past three years, rates have gone
up by over forty percent on a cumulative basis, which
(00:43):
is ridiculous.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
And I think now with people suffering even more in
the pocket, it's tough to take that rates rise, isn't
it for everybody? Not just homeowners, but those who are
landlords who are renting properties. They take that head as well.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
You just cannot continue to pile things up under rate
players and expect them to suck it up. I mean,
communication is a major thing at the moment, and you
you just got to keep doing it.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, don't feel like there's a lot of ambiguity and
not so much communication or good communication going on with
a lot of issues down on the Gore District Council.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Is there any Federative farmers Jason Herrick in particular, they've
been on their high horses, And yeah, I'm fair enough
too regarding the Gourd District Council over proposed district plan
rules requiring landovers to assess agricultural activities against Natahu cultural values.
And I think again as well, this just comes down
to dialogue. It just needs to come into play. It's
(01:38):
been lacking.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yeah, I think the communication around that has not been
particularly great. I mean there's been no explanation about what
any of it really means or what it means for
people doing plans, which is really interesting, and it's kind
of driving the narratives the wrong way in a way
because people are getting all stressed and worried about it
when they don't know what they're worried about really at
(02:02):
the moment, because they hadn't really been explained.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And there's a lot of people still frustrated if you
go back a few years the new building going in there.
But look, it's there, you've just got to deal with it.
But eleven percent is taking the pass. Oh.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
I think eleven percent is a lot of money from
most people, on top of what you're already paying for rates,
and also that money what it's going to as well
towards of course, it does go towards lots of things
in the district that we use every day without thinking
about it. But it's a lot to taken when it's
eleven percent.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
I think everything in general, though, we're finally down here
in the South. The weather's been more settled lately and
people have been just a little bit more relaxed, saying, yeah,
we've got the prices, everything's good. The New Zealandery Industry
Association Awards. I was down there for the Southlantago Region
on Tuesday and it was a really cool event.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Yeah, it's nice to see the sun. I think a
bit of wartth always puts a smile on people's faces.
I have heard that a little bit of rain is
needed down south, yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Certain parts other parts bonds are other ones not so much.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah, And it's the same in some parts of the
North Island. They were looking for rain. A little bit
of rain as well. For a bit of growth. Obviously
Canterbury had a bit too much. The arable farmers, we're
doing it quite hard for the last few months trying
to get harvest out. But yeah, it's nice to see
the sun a bit of warmth and a bit of
set or where they always puts smiles on people's faces.
And I think it's that mindset to, isn't it. When
you've got so much negative stuff going on in the world,
(03:22):
sometimes you just had to switch all that off and
try not to look at it too much as you can,
because having a break from it, I think is a
good thing.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, I spoke to Leon Black earlier in the Yellour
and you just put things into context and you can
only control what you control, and ultimately we just got
to celebrate the positives of the season where we have
seen record prices around the sectors.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Absolutely control the controllables and that is a massive actually
in sports psychology, and that's one of the biggest ones,
is controlling what you can control, not worrying about the
things you can't. You can't control the weather you can't
control as something out of your control going wrong. The
weather obviously is the biggest one and one of the
examples I can think of is actually, do you remember
(04:02):
the swimmer Michael selps, Yes, yes, So he used to
actually get in the poll, cut his glasses halfway and
swim was broken goggle so that he could be prepared
for that to happen. So being prepared for the things
you can control is also a big part of mindset
as well. So just take a step back sometimes, especially
feeling but overwhelmed, to think about those things that you
(04:23):
can take care of, things that you can change, things
that you can fix, and things that you can't. You've
just got to write it through. And there's some great tips.
I'll tell you what. Farmstrong have got some amazing tips
on that on their website if you want to check
out more.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
It's interesting you use that analogy because I've talked about
it with Shannon before. Just some drives when it's a
random conversation starter. What would you rather go without for
twenty four hours in the car? Wipers or headlights?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (04:48):
There you go these something to ponder.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I need headlights? You think you need heit? Oh my
new could pull hasn't had a nap? Couldn't ye? Just
wait for the daytime.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Well, there you go.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
It's open to interpretation, so I'm just putting it out
for out there for you. Of course, you're talking about
the sectors. A shout out to the arable guys as well.
Hopefully you guys are getting through the season two. It's
been a trying one Highlanders against my one in Pacificia.
Have you lost faith in your Highlanders?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Oh? I think you and I spoke about this earlier
in the weekend about how supporting the Highlanders could be
a bit like Stockholm syndrome. So you can't you can't
leave the Highlanders. You know, once you're supporting a targo,
you're in for life. You're a life.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
It's a target. It's a target.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Exactly, It's a tiger. You can't change it. And unfortunately, yes,
they started off with a hiss and a role with
that great game at home against the Crusaders, but things
that the wheels had kind of fell off the last
two games. The last game that I saw the score
of and with the Hurricanes, I had to read the
score about three times because I couldn't quite believe that
that had happened.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
But this new stadium, that the new stadium, it wasn't
twenty eleven twenty ten. But apparently they're going to put
curtains siders into it, so you can split it into
three different sizes. Now what's the going to cost?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, it could be interesting, I think looking they need
to look at ways though, that that stadium can be
used in different ways, and they need to start diversifying
it and looking into things like that. Is not a
bad idea. Obviously, curtains can sometimes out with acoustic side
of things as well, with noise and of absorbing sound
and stuff, so maybe it or with concerts and things
(06:22):
that might be used in that respect as well. But
I think they definitely just start looking at diversifying or
finding ways that that stadium can be used in more aspects,
because otherwise it's just going to end up costing the
rate payers here money to be sitting there.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Et is the costing money at the moment, not But.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
I'm not I have to have a look Andy, I'm
actually not quite sure on those statistics.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
No, there's something for next time, Michelle. We'll let you
carry on go the lenders. Heaven knows the need all
the help after last week, and you enjoy the weekend
and always appreciate your time. You Catul at It, Michelle What,
and the country Crossover. This is the Muster Friday afternoon
before we wrap up.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Phil Dagon of
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Weather Watch Up next, though, we'll talk about as Code,
Jason Pie and news Talk Zimbi
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