Tauranga City Council is proposing a cost reduction for cremation services and a rise for burial and chapel fees. Photo / George Novak
The cost of a cremation in Tauranga is in line for a big cut amid concern bereaved families are going out of town for cheaper services.
In a meeting on Tuesday, the council approved its draft user fees and charges for 2026/27 for public consultation.
The cost of burials, dog registrations, pool entry, borrowing top books and building consents are among charges set to rise as part of the council’s annual review.
But councillors voted to price cremation charges at cost plus inflation, which would decrease the fee for a standard adult cremation to $777 – a $202 drop.
Burials and chapel fees, on the other hand, would increase 6%, including 3% for inflation.
Examples given included the casket burial fee rising to $4511, ash burial to $1590 and chapel hire to $378.
This was described in a staff report as a “moderate and manageable” increase that would help maintain affordability for bereaved families.
The council would still have to subsidise burial services, which would carry a $752,247 deficit.
The report noted there would be an increase in demand for cremation services due to the reduction in cost.
Matua-Ōtūmoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther was concerned people were heading to Hamilton and Rotorua for cheaper cremations.
Hamilton City Council charges $695 and Rotorua Lakes Council $630 – hundreds of dollars less than Tauranga’s current $979.
He said Tauranga had some of the most expensive cremation services.
“Over 90% of people choose cremation.”
He backed reducing the charge.
“This would be giving a lot of benefit at a time of cost-of-living challenges.”
He said he believed the council should “charge what’s appropriate” for the service and deal with any shortfall.
Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor asked if Crowther would want the price of a casket burial “go up to $6340 under the principle you just talked about”. Crowther said he would rather consult on that.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale preferred the option recommended by staff, which increased all cemetery costs – bar cremation – by 3% for inflation, as this would create a lower deficit of $519,228.
“We’ve just tried to save a whole lot more and you’re adding another $250,000 to rates.”
Tauriko ward councillor Marten Rozeboom agreed: “I don’t think it’s council’s role to be a competitive business.”
Hikes of 5% to 16% have been drafted for Baywave, Greerton, Memorial and Ōtūmoetai pool entry fees.
These were based on comparisons with similar facilities, the staff report said.
The most significant jumps were at Baywave in Mount Maunganui, where a senior entry would rise $1 to $7.20, and child entry from $6.10 to $7.00.
The cost for an adult swimmer would hit double figures, rising 60c to $10.30.
Baywave Aquatic memberships would increase from $631.40 to $671, while memberships at Greerton, Memorial and Ōtūmoetai would increase from $404.70 to $427.80.
Hire fees would increase at Baycourt, indoor sports centres, community halls, sports and recreation centres, community centres and Historic Village indoor venues.
Dog registration fees were set to rise by the level inflation.
The cost of registrations paid before August 1 will increase $4 to $133, while those paid after the deadline would include a penalty fee and cost $199.50, a $6 increase.
Registering a dog classified as dangerous would increase $6 for early birds and $8.80 after the deadline.
Microchip fees would go up $1 to $34.
Impounding and kennel licence fees would also increase.
A separate report on dog registration fees and charges for 2026/27 will be presented to the council in April for adoption.
With the new library, Te Manawataki o Te Papa, scheduled to open in late-2026, the council proposed new room-hire fees for spaces that will be available for public booking.
An increase to the top title book charge is also proposed. The fee would increase from $3.00 to $3.50.
Building services are set for bigger increase than planned, which the council staff report said was necessary to address a forecast deficit of $3.6 million this year, down from $4.4m last year.
The council previously agreed to increase fees by 5% annually for five years, but this year it proposes to add inflation of 3% on top of that to reduce the deficit to $1.2m.
This would apply to all building services fees including building consents, site inspections, Code of Compliance Certificates and pre-application advice.
Residential site inspections would go up $20 to $268 per hour, and up $21 to $284 for commercial.
Swimming pool barrier inspection fees would rise from $189 to $204.
Community feedback on the proposed changes will be sought from April 1 to May 1, with staff recommendations set to be presented at a council meeting on May 12.
Fees would be finalised in June and come into effect on July 1.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.