Photo: Jessica Hopkins / RNZ
A lobbyist who used to work for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is now a critic of the city's 7.9 percent rates rise.
Josh Van Veen was Brown's deputy chief of staff just two months ago, but is now publicly criticising his former boss over the proposed rise in rates.
Auckland Councillors approved the mayor's draft 2026/2027 annual budget - which included a 7.9 percent average residential rates increase - on Monday.
Mayor Brown said the increase was higher than ideal, but the new City Rail Link, set
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