Should Western Bay of Plenty District Council put an extra $5.8 million towards our local roads, including roadside mowing and road maintenance?
Should people in the District pay more for the water they use?
These are some of the key questions Council is putting to the community, with feedback now open on the proposed budget for the year ahead.
Councillors this week approved the Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 which includes a total rates increase of 8.13 per cent for existing ratepayers. This is lower than the 8.64 per cent total rates increase planned for 2026/27 in the Long Term Plan 2024–34.
Much of the proposed increase is made up of $5.8million of additional funding required for our roads.
The actual rates impact per household will vary depending on property type, value, location and the services received.
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says the proposed budget reflects a year where Council has had to make careful decisions in a challenging economic environment.
“Households are under pressure, councils are being asked to do more with less, and expectations on service delivery remain high.
“This budget is about doing the basics well - keeping essential services running safely and reliably - while being upfront about the trade‑offs involved.”
The Annual Plan sets out the work Council is proposing for the coming financial year, how it would be funded, and how costs would be shared across the District.
The proposed budget includes several key choices Council is seeking community feedback on, including:
- Roads: Whether Council should invest an extra $5.8 million to deliver essential roading services including roadside mowing and vegetation control.
- Water: Whether water charges should move further toward a user-pays approach, with a 15% increase per cubic metre of water used, from $1.75 to $2.01. Or increase fixed charges by about $70 per connection annually..
- Community Boards: How Community Boards should be funded in a way that is fair and reflects updated boundaries across the District.
- Local road projects: Whether Council should make a reduction this year on some more discretionary local road projects and make use of unspent reserves that already exist.
- Waihī Beach: Whether to install a fluoride‑free public water tap at the Waihī Beach Water Treatment Plant to provide choice for residents and visitors.
- Rates: If the proposed approach is reasonable and what the community may want to see us prioritise or where to look for additional savings.
“These are real decisions that will shape the year ahead,” explains Mayor James.
“We know any rates increase is difficult, but holding rates too low can create bigger problems later by delaying essential maintenance and pushing costs onto future ratepayers.
“This is about finding a careful and responsible balance, and that’s why we want people to look at what’s proposed and tell us what matters most to them.”
Alongside the Draft Annual Plan, feedback is also open on Council’s Draft Fees and Charges and Financial Contributions for 2026/27, and a review of the Policy for Setting Land Rentals for Club Buildings on Council Land.
For more information visit: Annual Plan 2026/27 | Your Place Western Bay of Plenty
How to join the kōrero
Community feedback is open until 5pm, 20 April 2026.
- Online: Visit Annual Plan 2026/27 | Your Place Western Bay of Plenty
- In person: Drop‑in sessions will be held across the District, where people can kōrero with Councillors, Community Board members, and staff:
- Waihī Beach: Saturday 21 March, 10am–12pm Waihī Beach Community Centre (old library room)
- Maketū: Saturday 28 March, 10am–12pm Maketū Community Centre
- Te Puke: Saturday 28 March, 1pm–3pm Te Puke Library Boardroom
- Katikati: Sunday 29 March, 9am–11am Katikati Farmers Market
- Ōmokoroa–Kaimai: Tuesday 7 April, 6pm–8pm Western Bay of Plenty District Council office, Barkes Corner
- Written feedback: feedback forms are available at all Council Library and Service Centres, or feedback can be emailed to yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz
People can also choose to speak to their feedback at a Council hearing on 23 April. Please contact yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz by 20 April 2026 to secure a timeslot.
