Hunger strike in protest at rates rises
A Westport man on hunger strike over council rates was hospitalised on a drip last week because he couldn’t stand.
Denis Bergman, a 62-year-old retired police officer, has been on hunger strike for three weeks and said he would not stop until Buller mayor Garry Howard stands down.
He has allowed himself to drink water, coffee and fruit juice while on the hunger strike since April 27. He said he had lost almost 20kg since then.
‘‘Sometimes it bites me and sometimes it doesn’t. I ended up in hospital last week because I couldn’t stand and they put me on a drip. All the tests were fine except for my potassium levels,’’ he said. He had begun to eat half a banana with a small cup of meal replacement every evening but had had no other food.
He said the mayor was instrumental in leading the council to put up rates 3.6 per cent.
‘‘The local government consumer index says it should be no more than 2.4 per cent. We have some of the lowest incomes in New Zealand. People are struggling to pay the rates they’ve got.
‘‘People on low incomes and benefits can’t afford to pay rates.
‘‘Some people are only on $14,000 and have to pay $3000 in rates,’’ he said.
‘‘This is not something I wanted to do. It’s been coming for quite a while. The council don’t listen to the people. It’s to gain attention in higher places. I will take this as far as I have to,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m not going to back down on this. If I back down they will be able to do what they wish.
‘‘I want them to listen to the people and they’re just not. I don’t want to do this but sometimes you have got to stand up and be counted. I believe in what I’m doing.’’
Buller mayor Garry Howard said he was not going to stand down until the next election.
‘‘It’s an extreme measure Denis has taken. I feel that he misunderstands council decisions are from a council of 11: myself ... and 10 fellow councillors. He has failed to acknowledge that in wanting one person to stand down. Council makes collective decisions,’’ he said.
He said Buller had the lowest three or four rises of any council in New Zealand for the past three years. ‘‘We do not find his concerns are substantiated.’’
‘‘People are struggling to pay the rates they’ve got.’’ Denis Bergman