Mayor's column – Easing pressure on ratepayers

Published on 22 December 2025

A fortnightly column by Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper.

Rates affordability

As 2025 draws to a close, we’ve been discussing options to reduce the planned rates increase for next year’s draft annual budget. 

At the December 2025 meeting, Council agreed to take three options out for public consultation in early 2026 as part of our commitment to easing pressure on Whangārei’s ratepayers. 

In next year’s public consultation, one option will reduce the planned rates increase by about half – from 10.1% to around 5%. 

Another option focuses more on lightening the rates load for commercial and industrial ratepayers to better support economic growth and job creation. 

The other option would retain the full 10.1% increase planned for 2026-27, as set out in Council’s 10-year plan back in 2024. 

There are pros and cons of each approach, which we’ll articulate further when we release the full proposal early next year.

This work is about preparing a draft budget as a starting point for community feedback. Our community has spoken, and we have heard loud and clear the need to respond to concerns about rates affordability. 

Supporting this process, we have our independent external financial review currently looking for further opportunities to cut costs. 

Public consultation on the draft budget will take place in March 2026, and we strongly encourage everyone to have their say.

Bream Bay sand mining 

Last week, Council also considered a notice of motion regarding sand mining in Ruakākā and adopted a current position statement in relation to the Fast Track Approvals Bill application for the Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project. 

While Council is not the decision-maker, it is important to us to reflect the concerns of our community and advocate for their involvement in the process. 

There is a huge depth of feeling on this issue and a significant amount of work being done to highlight the risks of this application. 

I acknowledge the good work being done by groups like the Guardians of Bream Bay and thank Councillor Baldwin for bringing this matter forward.

Revitalising the city centre

We are continuing to progress the Mayoral Taskforce for City Centre Revitalisation and are working towards making various appointments across our city centre community. 

Having the right representation will be critical in ensuring we’re setting the taskforce up for success, and significant effort is being made to get this up and running as soon as we can.

Local government reform

Local government reform remains firmly on the horizon as we head into 2026. 

While the changes ahead are complex, they also present an opportunity for Northland to shape a future that works for our communities. 

We’ll be proactive in these discussions to ensure local voices are heard and that any new structures strengthen our ability to deliver for you.

Working together for the benefit of the District

I’d like to end by acknowledging the work of Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie, our Committee Chairs – Councillors Brad Flower (Infrastructure), Deb Harding (Community Development), Crichton Christie (Strategy, Planning and Development) and Paul Yovich (Finance), as well as our wider elected member team, for their commitment to driving results for our residents and ratepayers. 

This term has seen a fresh approach and considerable change, and we are seeing a real focus on issues, outcomes and a commitment to working well together for the benefit of the District.