Tauranga rally urges city council to cut rates amid proposed 12% hike
The crowd stopped outside the new council offices on Devonport Rd and sported signs asking council to 'stop the spend' and 'respect ratepayers'.
The rally was not the end but a platform for people to share their concerns, Gyenge said.
Last week the council heard from submitters on its Annual Plan for 2025/26.
The plan received 968 written submissions and 96 people asked to speak to the council directly.
The council would deliberate on its Annual Plan on May 26.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale previously said the plan tried to strike a balance between investing in the city and affordability for ratepayers.
The council had already found $29m in savings to get to 12%, and was working to find more to get the final number down to 10% or lower.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Nelson City Council Adopts Annual Plan 2025/26, Confirming 6.5% Rates Increase
Nelson City Council has formally adopted its Annual Plan 2025/26, retaining the forecast average rates increase of 6.5%. The Annual Plan was adopted by Elected Members in a Council meeting on 5 June 2025, confirming it will proceed without significant changes from what was consulted on as part of Year Two of the Long Term Plan 2024-34. Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says the Annual Plan strikes a deliberate balance between financial prudence and investment in the city's long-term prosperity. 'This Annual Plan is about maintaining the services and infrastructure that underpin our lifestyle while facing up to the financial squeeze that's affecting households, businesses, and councils alike. 'Cost pressures have been considerable, with electricity costs up 20% and a new government water levy adding $290,000 a year. We've had to make difficult choices to stay on track, but we've delivered a 6.5% rates increase that is among the lowest of New Zealand's 78 councils.' In the Annual Plan, Council has also agreed to reduce the proportion of commercial rates from 22.6% to 22.3%. Project timing and budgets have been adjusted to manage inflation and revenue impacts. These include deferring the $2.6 million Civic House roof and ceiling tile upgrades to 2026/27, and postponement of the $1.3 million joint cemetery capacity purchase to 2027/28. Council has also re-phased funding to respond to storm recovery needs and upgrade the city's infrastructure to enable new development. This includes $778,549 in 2025/26 for the Haven/St Vincent culvert renewal, with additional funding carried forward from previous budgets, as well as $1.65 million for stormwater improvements on York Terrace and $773,000 for resilience works on Cleveland Terrace. In support of the local economy, Council has approved a $40,000 grant to the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce to continue business mentoring services following the closure of Business Assist. Mayor Nick says the Plan highlights a shift in Council's priorities from storm recovery and repairs, to plans that advance revitalising the city. 'Over the past two years, our focus has been on recovery from the August 2022 storm — the most severe natural disaster in Nelson in over 50 years. With much of that repair work now well advanced, our attention is turning to city revitalisation. This includes projects like Bridge to Better, the new bus hub at Millers Acre, a new playspace at Rutherford Park, the Marina Promenade, and the launch of a new Arts Development Agency. 'These projects are more than just infrastructure — they are about preparing Nelson for the next generation, attracting investment, strengthening our links with the sea, and enriching community life.' The final Annual Plan 2025/26 will be published online and made available at Council's Customer Service Centre and local libraries from 1 July 2025.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Porirua City Council Makes Budget Decisions
Press Release – Porirua City Council The Councils Te Puna Krero committee met this morning to deliberate on the Annual Plan, which sets the citys budget for the coming financial year. After listening to feedback from residents Porirua City Council has made changes to next year's budget, including not increasing paid parking charges in the city or Cannons Creek pool entry fees. The Council's Te Puna Kōrero committee met this morning to deliberate on the Annual Plan, which sets the city's budget for the coming financial year. When preparing the draft Annual Plan, the starting point for this year's rates increases had increased from the planned 10 per cent to 15 per cent, due to cost pressures. Council acknowledged this wasn't sustainable for households and businesses, so took a hard look at internal operations to find cost savings. This process brought the new starting point for the average rates increase down to 6.75 per cent. Council consulted on five options, which if adopted would decrease the rates increase even further. A total of 343 submissions were received, with a mix of opinions on the items on the table. Committee Chair Councillor Ross Leggett thanked everyone who made submissions and shared their thoughts. 'Your feedback is shown in this paper and we do read and appreciate all of it,' he said. Of the options consulted on, the committee voted to discontinue the Chamber of Commerce grant and increase Council's building consent hourly rate. They voted against increasing the paid parking hourly rate, putting up Cannons Creek Pool entry fees, and discontinuing the Event Investment Programme. With these changes, the average rates increase for residential properties for the 2025/26 year will be 6.39 per cent, subject to confirmation by the full Council on 26 June. Mayor Anita Baker said everything possible was done to keep rates increases as low as possible. 'Nobody wants the big increases we saw last year and we know the community is struggling. The organisation has done a deep dive internally and made significant cuts that got us to a lower starting point than planned. 'In terms of the further cuts we could have made, we asked for feedback and we've listened to our people. That's why we are not supporting some of the ideas that were on the table.' Councillors spoke about the community benefits of swimming pools, the life that events bring to the city, and the need to support local businesses through keeping parking charges as they are.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Porirua City Council Makes Budget Decisions
After listening to feedback from residents Porirua City Council has made changes to next year's budget, including not increasing paid parking charges in the city or Cannons Creek pool entry fees. The Council's Te Puna Kōrero committee met this morning to deliberate on the Annual Plan, which sets the city's budget for the coming financial year. When preparing the draft Annual Plan, the starting point for this year's rates increases had increased from the planned 10 per cent to 15 per cent, due to cost pressures. Council acknowledged this wasn't sustainable for households and businesses, so took a hard look at internal operations to find cost savings. This process brought the new starting point for the average rates increase down to 6.75 per cent. Council consulted on five options, which if adopted would decrease the rates increase even further. A total of 343 submissions were received, with a mix of opinions on the items on the table. Committee Chair Councillor Ross Leggett thanked everyone who made submissions and shared their thoughts. "Your feedback is shown in this paper and we do read and appreciate all of it," he said. Of the options consulted on, the committee voted to discontinue the Chamber of Commerce grant and increase Council's building consent hourly rate. They voted against increasing the paid parking hourly rate, putting up Cannons Creek Pool entry fees, and discontinuing the Event Investment Programme. With these changes, the average rates increase for residential properties for the 2025/26 year will be 6.39 per cent, subject to confirmation by the full Council on 26 June. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Mayor Anita Baker said everything possible was done to keep rates increases as low as possible. "Nobody wants the big increases we saw last year and we know the community is struggling. The organisation has done a deep dive internally and made significant cuts that got us to a lower starting point than planned. "In terms of the further cuts we could have made, we asked for feedback and we've listened to our people. That's why we are not supporting some of the ideas that were on the table." Councillors spoke about the community benefits of swimming pools, the life that events bring to the city, and the need to support local businesses through keeping parking charges as they are.
