In a council meeting earlier this month, elected members explored options to reduce rates after councillor Felicity Foy made a motion to reduce the general rates increase from 6.7% to about 4.2%, a drop of 2.5%.
The lower increase would have meant finding about $3.1 million in savings, with staff warning that it would become increasingly difficult to achieve without cutting services or making structural changes.
The debate largely centred on whether the savings would be worth it for ratepayers. Councillors were told the difference between a 6.7% increase and a 4.2% increase equated to about 31 cents per week per $100,000 of land value.
Some councillors argued that even small savings mattered to households already under financial pressure. However, this would mean less funding for services and community priorities, other members argued.
The FNDC said, in a statement, getting to a 6.7% increase had taken a lot of work, including finding further savings and making careful choices about where money is spent.
“Most apparent is external costs the council can’t control, such as rising fuel and supplier costs. With ongoing recovery work following recent severe weather events, keeping the rates increase at 6.7% helps make sure the council can keep delivering the everyday services people rely on and stay ready to respond when the unexpected happens,” the FNDC said.
While the Annual Plan largely reflects what was agreed through the Long-Term Plan, this provides an opportunity for the community to stay informed and share feedback before decisions are finalised.
Kahika/mayor Moko Tepania said it was important people take the time to understand what is being proposed and have their say.
“We know cost of living pressures are front of mind for many households. At the same time, we need to continue investing in essential services and infrastructure that our communities rely on.
“This is an opportunity for people to see what’s planned, understand what it means for them, and share what matters most.
“We all recognise the pressure our communities are under, but we also need to think about the long-term impact. With rising costs and recent weather events, it’s important we focus on sustainable solutions through the Long-Term Plan rather than making decisions that could create more pressure in the future.”
Alongside the Annual Plan, the council is also seeking feedback on its fees and charges schedule for 2026/27. This covers a range of services, including building and resource consents, as well as the use of council facilities, with any approved changes taking effect from July 1.
FNDC said all feedback will be considered by elected members before the final Annual Plan and fees and charges are adopted in June. Residents can give feedback until May 17, on the council website.
