Council confirms 5.1% rates increase
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has confirmed a rates increase of 5.1 per cent for the year ahead, following a series of deliberate and measured decisions to manage costs while maintaining essential services.
This is lower than what was originally signalled after Councillors worked through a range of options to reduce the rates impact on households. These decisions include changes to how key investments - particularly in roads and everyday services like mowing - are prioritised and funded, as well as deferring or scaling back less urgent work.
Council confirmed the increase through the adoption of its Annual Plan for 2026/27, which sets the Council’s priorities, services, work programme and budget for the year ahead, bringing the proposed rates increase down to 5.1 per cent for existing ratepayers.
It is down from the 8.13 per cent for existing ratepayers consulted on with the community in March, and lower than the 8.64 per cent increase for existing ratepayers that was planned for this year in the Long Term Plan.
Mayor James Denyer says the outcome reflects the balance Council has worked to strike in a challenging environment.
“We know households and businesses are under pressure, and reducing that impact has been a key focus throughout this process.
“These decisions reflect what we have heard from our communities and our commitment to balancing affordability with the need to continue delivering the core services people rely on every day.”
Council confirmed an additional $5.8 million investment in roads, which had been signalled earlier in the process for maintenance, safety and preventative work, along with environmental maintenance like roadside mowing.
Feedback through consultation reinforced the importance of maintaining investment in the roading network, mowing and general upkeep, while also reducing the impact on ratepayers.
In response, Council agreed not to fully fund the $5.8m investment through rates in a single year, instead taking a more balanced approach using a mix of existing transport reserves alongside rates funding.
This reduces the immediate impact on households while still protecting service levels, but it may have implications for future rates.
Further decisions to reduce the impact on households include using reserves to offset the solid waste targeted rates, deferring fuel cost pressures, and scaling back discretionary work such as smaller local roading projects.
“We have made tough decisions about what to fund now, what to defer, and how to use existing funding more effectively - reducing the immediate impact on ratepayers, while recognising there may be implications for future rates,” says Mayor James.
Council’s plan reflects a continued focus on the core services communities rely on every day - including roads, water, wastewater, stormwater, waste services, libraries and parks.
This reflects a deliberate focus on delivering value for money - prioritising the services people rely on most, while carefully managing costs in a challenging environment.
At the same time, Council is preparing for wider changes across local government, including the transition to a new water services entity, which will shape how services are delivered in the future.
Council also acknowledges that the District-wide property revaluation completed earlier this year will affect how rates are distributed between properties, meaning individual rate changes may differ from the average increase.
“This Plan is about finding a careful and responsible balance — responding to today’s challenges, listening to our communities, and planning for the future,” says Mayor James.
For more information on the Annual Plan process visit: 2026/2027 Annual Plan - Western Bay of Plenty District Council
