Grey mayor apologises after councillors laughed at rates pushback questions

Wednesday 27 August 2025 · 4 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 27 Aug 2025, 1:49pm

In this story Tania Gibson

Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson has apologised after councillors laughed during a meeting when asked about resistance to a 13 per cent rates increase. The incident was highlighted by election candidate Terry Donaldson. Gibson stated the laughter was not directed at ratepayers, though she admitted the optics were poor.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZWed 27 Aug 2025, 1:02pm

   Grey mayor apologises for council laughter over rates pushback (opens in new tab)

   Also on 1News (opens in new tab), Stuff (opens in new tab)

2. The PressWed 27 Aug 2025, 1:49pm

   ‘Insensitive, appalling’: Grey mayor apologises for council laughter over rates pushback (opens in new tab)