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Kaipara District Council has agreed to a proposed average rate rise of 7.9% after growth for the 2026/2027 Annual Plan.
The reduction is down from the originally forecast 8.3% increase and follows a detailed, line-by-line review of its draft Annual Plan budget, which reduced several budget lines.
At a meeting last month, Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen said the draft plan reflected a careful balance between keeping rates as low as possible while still responding to community priorities.
“One of the biggest issues raised with council is the condition of our roads. Our community has been absolutely clear that dependable roading is a priority, and that is a strong area of focus for our council,” Larsen says.
“At the same time, we’ve taken a hard look at every part of the budget to make sure we’re keeping rate increases as low as we reasonably can.”
A number of roading and infrastructure projects are also highlighted in the Annual Plan.
Council has included $5 million of traction sealing works across the district, of which 62 per cent is subsidised by NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi, with council contributing a further $1.9 million.
“Using subsidies and reinvesting savings from projects that come in under budget allows us to deliver more in roading,” Larsen says.
Traction seals are a specific type of sealed road-surface treatment used on short sections of steep or winding roads, and are said to improve tyre grip and be more reliable in all weather conditions.
Council also considered whether formal public consultation was required on the draft Annual Plan, but decided that, as the proposed budget and work programme aligned with what was initially agreed through the Long Term Plan, and no significant or material changes were proposed, formal consultation was not required.
A number of other projects or programmes of work will be debt-funded with the interest paid through the general rate. This includes a $2 million investment in the Kaihu Valley Trail (already included in the Long Term Plan 2024-2027). A trust is currently applying for $7 million in central government funding to finish the trail.
Council has also entered into an agreement with Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust to fund a $1.5 million share of a pipeline connection between the Trust’s Te Waihekeora reservoir and Dargaville. This investment supports the district’s long-term economic development and resilience.
Council staff are continuing work on the Annual Plan and supporting financial information. The draft document will be presented at a council briefing next month and is expected to be adopted in June.
