2025/2026 Draft Annual Plan

The Annual Plan 2025/26 is year two of the Long Term Plan 2024-34. It is our chance to refresh information on budgets for the coming financial year and setting out the mahi (work) we are planning to do in your community over the next 12 months (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026).

Through the development of the Annual Plan we consider what was outlined in the Long Term Plan and assess what changes are needed to reflect current circumstances. This includes the setting of rates.

We are committed to delivering the programme of work we set in our Long Term Plan 2024-34. Since adopting the plan in September 2024, we have been working hard to progress the projects that matter most to our community.

Despite economic challenges, legislative uncertainties, and a slowdown in the construction sector, we're keeping budget changes to a minimum. These adjustments reflect more accurate costs and timings, ensuring we stay on track with our commitments.

The Annual Plan 2025/26 will be adopted by Council on 26 June 2025.

Rates are lower than planned

After reviewing our plan, we have managed to reduce the average rate increase to 7.42%, down from the 10.13% proposed for year two of the Long Term Plan 2024-34. This reduction is due to lower inflation, decreased interest rates, and cost savings.

We have achieved these efficiencies while still delivering the services our community relies on. By carefully managing our resources and finding savings, we have been able to lower the rate increase without compromising on our commitments.

The Sample Rates document shows the draft Annual Plan rates changes for a range of property types separated by ward.

Rates Calculator

If you would like to see your proposed rates based on our current approach, check out our Rates Calculator by clicking on the button below.

Rates Calculator

We are getting on with what we promised

We have made some changes to account for variations in timing and costs, and where possible, we've identified savings. However, these budget changes are not significant under the Council’s Significant and Engagement Policy.

Legislation guides us to consult only when there is a significant or material change from our Long Term Plan. Since that's not the case this year, we are staying focused on delivering what we promised. For this reason, we will not be undertaking formal consultation for the Annual Plan 2025/26. We're doing what we said we would and communicating this accordingly.

Fees and Charges 2025/26

Each year, as part of our Annual Plan, we review our Schedule of Fees and Charges to ensure they remain fair and reflective of the costs involved.

Head to Your Place Tō wāhi to find more information and to share your views on the proposed changes to the Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2025/26.

Feedback closes at 5pm on Sunday 20 April 2025.

Financial Contributions

As part of our Annual Plan, we have also reviewed our Financial Contributions.

Head to Your Place Tō wāhi to find more information and share your views on the proposed changes to Financial Contributions for 2025/26.

Feedback closes at 5pm on Sunday 20 April 2025.

Annual Plan and Long Term Plan Committee Meeting

The Annual Plan and Long Term Plan Committee made key decisions on the development of the Annual Plan at its meeting on 26 February 2025. To see the full agenda, recording and minutes please go here.

Key decisions include:

Approving revised Structure Plans.
Endorsing the Financial Statements.
Updating the Long Term Plan 2024/2034 Strategic Assumptions.
Endorsing the Capital and Operational Programme and the Significance and Materiality Assessment.
Setting for the draft Annual Plan the Uniform Annual General Charge at $700 per rateable property for the 2025/26 year - Funding Impact Statements.
Setting for the draft Annual Plan the volumetric water rate at $1.75 per cubic metre.
Changing the approach to funding Community Boards to reflect the final proposal as part of the Representation Review.

The Committee decided to include funding in the draft Annual Plan for the following:

Repairs to ensure the Katikati Arts Junction building is weathertight and remains fit for purpose.
Implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning cloud software solution specific to local government.
Staged implementation of the concept plans for Beach Road Boat Ramp and Surrounds, and Tahawai reserves.
Allocated budget for Pongakawa Bush Road Resilience improvements.

The Committee has also:

Agreed on our approach to transportation funding, considering the NZ Transport Agency's/Waka Kotahi's funding decision.
Deferred roofing the Dave Hume Pool until 2033 due to escalating costs.

More information about these decisions, the reports and minutes can be found here, or you can watch the recording of the meeting below:

What is the Annual Plan?

Annual plans give us the opportunity to refresh information and budgets for the coming year and include the setting of rates. Annual plans are produced for the years between long term plans.

Why can Councils choose not to consult on annual plans?

A series of amendments were made to the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act) in 2014 to encourage new ways of consulting and communicating with the community and focus on the major matters.

One of these amendments removed the requirement for councils to formally consult “if there are no significant or material differences to the content of the long-term plan”. This now makes formal consultation on proposed annual plans exceptions based.

An annual plan that includes an overview of any minor changes in costs (along with all other information required under Part 2 of Schedule 10 of the Act) must still be prepared and adopted by council resolution before 30 June.

How do we determine what’s significant?

Section 95 of the Local Government Act 2002 sets out the requirements for consultation on an Annual Plan.

The Council is required to have a significance and engagement policy under Section 76AA of the Local Government Act 2002. The Policy is reviewed every three years as part of long-term plans.

Significance is more than a financial impact and often items with low value but that have high public interest can be significant.

Significance is ultimately determined by the elected members – read our Significance and Engagement Policy on our website (Significance and Engagement Policy)

How else can I give feedback throughout the year?

Engaging with our community happens all year round, not just when it comes time for the Annual Plan process.

Ongoing feedback channels for our community continue to be available, such as online through Your Place, as part of engagement opportunities on individual projects as they progress, contacting Elected Members, the Chief Executive or coming to speak at public forums.