UPDATE / 5.10pm: A "dog's breakfast" - that's how an Auckland councillor and former mayor has described today's meeting at which the council set its uniform charge in the face of stiff opposition from ratepayers and local boards.

PLUS: The local government minister has some advice for the Christchurch council, promises post-Kim Dotcom donation reform; and suggests Auckland mayor Len Brown has been over-stepping the mark.

Mayor pledges to reduce Auckland's business rates differential every year for the next decade.

Taupo hotels are most expensive but Christchurch saw the biggest jump in tariffs