Appalling misinformation from Auckland Council

Auckland Council released:

The Colmar Brunton survey was conducted independently to achieve a representative outcome from a cross section of Aucklanders and showed 89 per cent support for a rates increase, with 38 per cent of those surveyed supporting a 3.5 per cent general rates increase and 51 per cent supporting a 2.5 per cent general rates increase.

Any journalist who repeats this claim should be shot. Well not shot, but taught to check the source material.

The respondents in the survey were only given two options:

• 2.5% average general rates increase
• 3.5% average general rates increase

It’s no fucking surprise 89% picked one of the two options. There were no other options!!!

To claim 89% support a rates increase when you only gave them a choice of 2.5% or 3.5% is like claiming 89% of Aucklanders have said they support apartment buildings of at least 25 stories after asking them if they want 25 story apartment buildings or 35 story apartment buildings.

They misrepresentation of the Colmar Brunton research is appalling. It is basically a lie. You can not claim what the Council claimed.

Aucklanders should be angry that their Council lies to them, and treats them as idiots.