New Zealand kiwi growers are taking Gisborne District Council to the High Court for including the license to grow the gold variety in rating land valuations. The national body representing growers, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI), has brought a judicial review proceeding of the decision to the High Court. It is also supporting a grower on Bushmere Road who has lodged an objection to their property valuation before the Land Valuation Tribunal.
Gisborne was the first region to adjust land valuation methods to include the value of the gold kiwifruit growing licence, known as the G3 licence, on the rateable value of the property. This decision has resulted in a rates hike Gisborne growers called absurd and inequitable. Sources say rates have tripled for some.
NZ Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Colin Bond said it would advocate strongly on behalf of Gisborne growers and recognized the importance of these "precedent-setting" legal proceedings.
Source: nzherald.co.nz
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