Viewpoint – Good progress at NRC

I hope that you are coping well with everything that winter has thrown at us. Spring is around the corner and will hopefully be bringing some decent weather for us all.

NRC rate increase
You will have now received your first rates bill for the 2026/27 financial year.  I mentioned previously that Northland Regional Council (NRC) has held rates constant from the previous year, which means there has been a 0 per cent overall rate increase. This is a step in the right direction as we all continue to deal with material cost-of-living increases.

Long Term Plan
We have now entered the Long Term Plan process and will be pushing for further efficiencies for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years. A strong NRC financial result for the last financial year has improved our ability to hold rates for an extended period. I will be making the strongest possible case for this to happen.

Local Government Reform
The current coalition has provided clear direction for local government reform. This is the first significant move to reform Local Government legislation in the last 30 years and is, in my opinion, long overdue.

NRC has committed to working with Whangarei and Far North District Council under the Government’s Head Start proposal being led by Minister of Local Government Simon Watts.

Support for the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society
I am very happy that the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS) has been awarded a grant of $18,000 under the NRC Climate Resilient Communities Fund, which will enable planting on the distal spit next year. This is a step in the right direction as  NRC moves to be a more meaningful partner of MHRS. Peter Whethey and the team at MHRS do an incredible job keeping the Mangawhai Harbour clean and clear of obstruction. Other outstanding community organisations being actively supported by NRC include the Piroa Conservation Trust and Kiwi Coast.

Contact NRC
If you have any issues that you would like raised at the Northland Regional Council, please contact me at cr.hunt@nrc.govt.nz or by mobile on +64 21 890 169.