Gisborne district council 'hamstrung' on legislation when rating forestry blocks 16 May, 2021 11:50 PM 6 minutes to read Gisborne District Council wants the Valuer General to address "growing disparities" between the rating valuation of forestry land and other land uses. Photo / Supplied-LDR Gisborne District Council wants the Valuer General to address "growing disparities" between the rating valuation of forestry land and other land uses. Photo / Supplied-LDR Local Democracy Reporter As farms rapidly turn to forests, Gisborne district councillors say "very low land valuations" of forestry properties result in other ratepayers unfairly carrying the rates burden. Gisborne's mayor says the tool used to rate forestry blocks is not realistic, while the deputy mayor says the district council is "hamstrung" on legislation.