Draft Annual Plan 2025/26

The Draft Annual Plan continues the work programme that is set out the Long Term Plan (LTP).

Cost increases, or reductions in funding, since adopting the LTP mean the Council has had to review our budgets and rates for this coming year.

It was signalled that rates would initially be 4.73% in the LTP. The Draft Annual Plan proposed an increase of 0.25% to 4.98%.

Most of this increase is due to additional costs shifted to the Council from central government — such as an additional $360,000 from ratepayers to cover new Commerce Commission and Taumata Arowai levies. This added 0.4% to the rates.

Because we are still in an inflationary environment, it is important to the Council that budgets for the Draft Annual Plan stayed as close to what we signalled in the LTP as possible. The aim was to focus on cost-efficiency, value for money, and core services.

This direction is nothing new for Waimakariri, but reiterating the point shows alignment with the direction from the central government to focus on good quality local infrastructure, core services, and responsible rates increases.

We’re pleased to say that we’ve managed to achieve this.

This Annual Plan also details options available to the Council regarding Three Waters reform. We have a deadline of September to submit a plan to central government that discusses how we will meet future standards and regulation.

Independent advice has confirmed that water infrastructure in Waimakariri is in great shape. This is good news for ratepayers as it means there are many options available for how the Council can manage water going forward.

We are committed to delivering on what we said we would through the LTP and are continually exploring opportunities to achieve greater value for money while providing the services that our community want.

The opportunities and challenges facing the Council this year include:

• Considering the best arrangement for Local Water Done Well, the reform of Three Waters services. We need to submit a Water Services Delivery Plan by September and the best option for our community appears to be a stand-alone business unit of Council while continuing to investigate joint arrangements between the business unit and neighbouring councils. This is essentially the same as we have now but meets the new Government legislative requirements.
• Responding to a NZ Transport Agency funding shortfall: A $13.5m gap for roads and transport over three years
• The impact of increased asset values: Higher valuations of roads, reserves, and water plants drive up depreciation costs. These increases in value result in hikes in costs of depreciation and insurance
• We’re also seeking input on a rates remission for secondary dwellings as well as our Development Contributions policy.

Subject to what you tell us, we intend to adapt to these challenges and continue with the direction set during our LTP.

Our Council is proud to provide exceptional services for the community and do so while regularly having the lowest rate increases in the country. This is only achievable due to Waimakariri District Council being financially prudent and responsible.

Council’s financials are audited annually by Audit NZ and credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s has recently reconfirmed its AA long-term and A-1+ short-term credit rating with a negative outlook for the Council. For context, this rating is better than that of major trading banks.

This record reflects our commitment to supporting households while fostering growth and maintaining high quality services.

Balancing affordability for residents with the demands of a rapidly growing district is the top priority for our Council.

We are committed to achieving this without compromising our appeal as a high-growth District where people love to live, and others want to move to.

We look forward to hearing from you. Share your thoughts with us before 21 April.

Ngā mihi

Dan Gordon
Mayor

Jeff Millward
Chief Executive