Pre-Election Report 2025

This Pre-Election Report outlines our role in your District and informs you about the issues Council faces and the services we provide.

It is a legal requirement and is prepared by the Chief Executive of Whangarei District Council. Current elected Council members have not been involved in its drafting, although the report discusses the plans of the current Council and previous Councils.

The Pre-Election Report provides information about the past three years (from 2022-23 through to 2024-25), an overview of the 2025-26 year, which began on 1 July 2025, and Council’s planned performance during the term of the next Council (from October 2025).

Changes to advisory groups coming

We are restructuring our advisory groups to enhance community engagement on access and inclusion issues. The Positive Ageing Advisory Group and Disability Advisory Group will be disestablished, and a new Accessibility Advisory Group will be set up. The Youth Advisory Group will remain.

Announcement

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Changes in the Health (hairdressing) Regulations 1980

The Government has announced that the Health (hairdressing) Regulations 1980 will be revoked from July 2025.

Hairdressing and barbering regulations given the cut (beehive.govt.nz)

Announcement

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Rates rebate widened

Changes to the thresholds mean some ratepayers who weren't eligible for a rates rebate in 2024-25 might be eligible in 2025-26. Homeowners can check their eligibility and apply for the 2025-26 rates rebate below.

Announcement

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Māori Ward Poll

At the Local Elections 2025, electors will be asked to vote in a poll on whether to keep or remove the Whangārei District Māori Ward.