Council to seek community feedback on 2026-27 rates options
Published on 02 March 2026
We have adopted the 2026-27 Draft Annual Plan and will be consulting with the community in March 2026 on three options for next year’s rates increase.
Mayor Ken Couper says the options reflect the strong feedback Council has received about the cost-of-living challenges facing households and businesses across the District.
“We know many in our community are under real financial pressure. That feedback is front and centre in the options we’re taking out for consultation. Before we make any decisions, we want to hear from our community,” says Mayor Couper.
To respond to these pressures, Council is seeking feedback on three rates options for 2026-27 – two of which halve the planned general rates increase previously proposed for the next financial year; down from 10.1% to 5%.
One of these two options specifically addresses rates affordability concerns from the business community by reducing the share of rates allocated to this sector.
A third option would see the planned rates increase stay unchanged at 10.1% as set in Council’s 2024-34 Long Term Plan.
Mayor Couper highlights the trade-offs that come with these kinds of decisions.
“Reducing the planned rates increase will leave us with a shortfall of around $6 million, which we’ll need to cover through further efficiencies and debt. We are working our way through an independent financial review to help identify opportunities now and for our 2027-37 Long Term Plan.
“Even with this focus, a shortfall this year will see debt increase and put greater pressure on future Council budgets, especially if rates capping is implemented by Central Government,” says Couper.
Mayor Couper said community feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the final Annual Plan.
“These options are about coming up with practical ways to balance affordability with the services our District relies on,” he said.
“We want to hear from you – whether a lower increase best supports your household or business, or whether staying with the Long Term Plan approach feels more sustainable for the future. Your views will guide the decisions we make.”
The public consultation will run from Wednesday 4 March to Friday 3 April 2026. Full details on the options and proposed increases to targeted rates will be published when the consultation opens.
Annual Plan drop-in sessions
Come talk to us at one of our Annual Plan drop-in sessions at Te Iwitahi (civic centre), 9 Rust Avenue:
- Friday 6 March, 1:00pm to 2:30pm
- Monday 9 March, 4:30pm to 6:00pm
- Thursday 19 March, 4:30pm to 6:00pm
- Tuesday 24 March, 12:30pm to 2:00pm.