Tauranga's Rates Hike Approved Amid Protest
Tauranga homeowners will pay an extra $180 to $1124 in rates for 2025 after the council approved its budget.
Tauranga City Council adopted the 2025/26 Annual Plan at a meeting on Thursday with a 9.9 percent overall rates increase.
About 60 people gathered before the meeting to protest the rates increase. It was the second rally organised by Jan Gyenge.
In May, around 250 people marched down Devonport Rd calling for a 0 percent rates increase for 2025.
Gyenge said Thursday's rally was to let the councillors know people were still not happy with the 9.9 percent rates increase, given it was nowhere near the 0 percent they called for.
There would be another protest at midday Sunday outside the council building at 90 Devonport Rd, she said.
The 9.9 percent increase was down from the 12.5 percent initially proposed.
Gyenge and three others spoke in the public forum asking the council to reduce the rates. Gyenge's request to speak at Wednesday's meeting was initially declined because the council said her perspective had been heard before, but it had a last-minute change of heart.
She asked the councillors to "stop the wastage".
Gyenge talked about the council's spending and chastised it for a planned playground opening event in Bethlehem, with free food and face-painting.
"It's a little amount, relatively, but these little amounts add up. This expenditure has to stop."
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the council took more than $30 million out of its operating budget to get to the 9.9 percent increase. This included cutting 98 staff, with more likely still to come as the council underwent a management review.
Drysdale said there was a lot of work to do in Tauranga after "chronic underinvestment" in facilities and infrastructure.
"We do understand the tough financial position a number of households find themselves in. This [annual plan] strikes a good balance of keeping the investment in our city for what we need for the future while making it as affordable as possible."
Councillor Rick Curach said the council had a big job ahead to look for further savings, but he was confident they could reduce the forecasted rates in the 10-year plan. Rates increases were not in line with people's wage increases, and many in the community found it "increasingly difficult" to afford them, he said.
"I look forward to finding more and more savings and not having such a huge cost on our community."
Councillor Glen Crowther said he would support the Annual Plan, but the council had to deliver a lower rates increase next year. It also needed to look at its capital projects and reorganise them to "lock in some affordability", he saidm and figure out what the public could afford and come up with a plan that met those requirements.
"We are here to serve the public. We are not here to deliver a plan."
Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular said people wanted new playgrounds, sports fields and facilities, but the council needed to understand how to get more value from its "significant expenditure".
Drysdale said they were approving a budget by adopting the Annual Plan but that did not mean they needed to spend it all.
"We want to find every saving that we can, and I think there's big opportunities to continue to save money."
The council could deliver the same assets for significantly less money if it looked at its processes and did things differently, he said.
"This is setting a budget\ - now the real hard work starts as we try to deliver under that budget."
How much will your rates increase?
Capital value $355,000 - $180.83 (8.3%)
Capital value $885,000 - $320.72 (9.2%)
Capital Value $1.12m - $382.75 (9.4%)
Capital Value $3.929m - $1124.22 (10.2%)
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
Tauranga's Rates Hike Approved Amid Protest
Tauranga homeowners will pay an extra $180 to $1124 in rates for 2025 after the council approved its budget. Tauranga City Council adopted the 2025/26 Annual Plan at a meeting on Thursday with a 9.9 percent overall rates increase. About 60 people gathered before the meeting to protest the rates increase. It was the second rally organised by Jan Gyenge. In May, around 250 people marched down Devonport Rd calling for a 0 percent rates increase for 2025. Gyenge said Thursday's rally was to let the councillors know people were still not happy with the 9.9 percent rates increase, given it was nowhere near the 0 percent they called for. There would be another protest at midday Sunday outside the council building at 90 Devonport Rd, she said. The 9.9 percent increase was down from the 12.5 percent initially proposed. Gyenge and three others spoke in the public forum asking the council to reduce the rates. Gyenge's request to speak at Wednesday's meeting was initially declined because the council said her perspective had been heard before, but it had a last-minute change of heart. She asked the councillors to "stop the wastage". Gyenge talked about the council's spending and chastised it for a planned playground opening event in Bethlehem, with free food and face-painting. "It's a little amount, relatively, but these little amounts add up. This expenditure has to stop." Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the council took more than $30 million out of its operating budget to get to the 9.9 percent increase. This included cutting 98 staff, with more likely still to come as the council underwent a management review. Drysdale said there was a lot of work to do in Tauranga after "chronic underinvestment" in facilities and infrastructure. "We do understand the tough financial position a number of households find themselves in. This [annual plan] strikes a good balance of keeping the investment in our city for what we need for the future while making it as affordable as possible." Councillor Rick Curach said the council had a big job ahead to look for further savings, but he was confident they could reduce the forecasted rates in the 10-year plan. Rates increases were not in line with people's wage increases, and many in the community found it "increasingly difficult" to afford them, he said. "I look forward to finding more and more savings and not having such a huge cost on our community." Councillor Glen Crowther said he would support the Annual Plan, but the council had to deliver a lower rates increase next year. It also needed to look at its capital projects and reorganise them to "lock in some affordability", he saidm and figure out what the public could afford and come up with a plan that met those requirements. "We are here to serve the public. We are not here to deliver a plan." Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular said people wanted new playgrounds, sports fields and facilities, but the council needed to understand how to get more value from its "significant expenditure". Drysdale said they were approving a budget by adopting the Annual Plan but that did not mean they needed to spend it all. "We want to find every saving that we can, and I think there's big opportunities to continue to save money." The council could deliver the same assets for significantly less money if it looked at its processes and did things differently, he said. "This is setting a budget\ - now the real hard work starts as we try to deliver under that budget." How much will your rates increase? Capital value $355,000 - $180.83 (8.3%) Capital value $885,000 - $320.72 (9.2%) Capital Value $1.12m - $382.75 (9.4%) Capital Value $3.929m - $1124.22 (10.2%) - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
Eastern Bay Councils Adopt 30-Year Plan For Growth And Development
Councils across the Eastern Bay have officially adopted the Our Places – Eastern Bay Spatial Plan (Spatial Plan), marking the beginning of a long-term, coordinated approach to managing growth, infrastructure, and development across the sub-region. The plan has been jointly developed by Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, and Kawerau District Councils, along with Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, in partnership with iwi and central government. It sets out a shared vision for how the Eastern Bay could grow and change over the next 30 years, focusing on housing, infrastructure, employment, land use, and climate resilience, while protecting the qualities that make the region unique. Independent Chair of the Project Governance Group, Vaughan Payne, says the adoption is a major milestone built on collaboration, community input and shared commitment. 'This Spatial Plan is the result of strong partnerships across councils, iwi, government agencies, and local communities,' says Mr Payne. 'Throughout 2024, we listened carefully to the feedback of more than 550 individuals, groups and community organisations. Another strong feature of this plan is capturing the future aspirations of our iwi partners. That input helped us refine our direction, including shaping an alternative growth scenario for Whakatāne to reflect the community's aspirations for where and how development should occur.' 'Councils have worked together every step of the way. The plan's adoption now sets the stage for the next phase – local implementation that reflects each district's needs and future potential.' Each council will now lead the next phase of work to reflect their district's priorities, starting with growth strategies and master planning, and continuing engagement with communities, iwi and stakeholders. Whakatāne District Council will lead the development of a Local Growth Strategy to guide where and how growth will be supported. The strategy will focus on greenfield areas, housing and the infrastructure needed to support new communities. Whakatāne District Council Mayor, Victor Luca, says it's time to put plans into action. 'We're now moving from the big picture to the local detail - creating a Local Growth Strategy that clarifies where growth will happen and how we'll support it. 'We'll continue working closely with our community to understand their vision, especially on matters like climate resilience, housing supply and infrastructure. We want to protect what we value while also creating new, connected, future-ready communities. 'It is also important to emphasise that as we move forward, this spatial plan, like any plan, may evolve as new information, data and evidence come to light.' In Ōpōtiki, the focus will be on advancing the Hukutaia Growth Area and unlocking opportunities created by the Ōpōtiki Harbour Development. Ōpōtiki District Council Mayor, David Moore, says the joint approach has strengthened planning across the region. 'I think the process of building the Spatial Plan together through community engagement, feedback and workshops has helped us make more consistent decisions across the sub-region. The plan can be used to advocate for central government funding and provision of services such as health, education, and policing. 'By approaching our challenges together, we've created a stronger, more joined-up plan for the future.' Kawerau District Council will continue its work on a local housing and economic development strategy, focusing on Stoneham Park and enabling more business activity. Kawerau District Mayor, Faylene Tunui, says the plan helps ensure the town remains people-centred, now and into the future. 'Those who call the Eastern Bay home see it as that – their home. This is where we choose to live and raise our families, work and earn a living, either working for someone else or by starting a business, and contribute and volunteer our skills to help our community thrive. 'The Spatial Plan helps us honour the experience of our past while laying a strong foundation for those who come next. Implementation will focus on making sure our people have real opportunities to get ahead, with housing, jobs, and investment that meet their needs.' Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair, Doug Leeder, says the adoption of the plan is an important turning point. 'The Spatial Plan is an essential tool that will help us coordinate development and optimise resources in a way that will have intergenerational benefit,' says Mr Leeder. 'Its adoption is the first step in a 30-year journey to collectively shape a vibrant future and create a cohesive sub-region, with community input guiding us every step of the way.' While the Spatial Plan provides a blueprint, each council will continue to carry out further engagement through upcoming projects such as District Plan changes, Long Term Plans, and master planning at the local level. 'We want to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of this plan,' says Mr Payne. 'Your voice has helped shape it and will continue to guide what happens next.'
Scoop
8 hours ago
- Scoop
Investment In Core Services And Infrastructure Continues In Lower Hutt
Hutt City Council has today approved its Annual Plan 2025/26 which balances investment in core infrastructure and services in a challenging economic environment. The Annual Plan sets a rates revenue increase of 12.6% (after growth) which is a reduction from the 13.4% (after growth) increase forecast in the 10-Year Plan adopted in 2024. This equates to an average weekly increase of $8.90 per household. More than half goes toward water services and transport. Of the average weekly increase, $4.27 is for investment in water services, and $1.16 is for investment in transport. Fixing our pipes and other water infrastructure remains our top priority and is driving much of the increase in rates. There is $256 million of capital investment forecast for the year. This includes funding for significant resilience projects such as Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink) and the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant. Key challenges faced by Council in setting the Annual Plan were: Demand and pressure on infrastructure, largely due to ageing assets and historic underinvestment. Housing supply and affordability. Delivering services for a growing population. Responding to climate change and sustainability. Government policy reform impacts and uncertainties. Mayor Campbell Barry acknowledged the impact on households of any rates increase. "We know households are under pressure, and any rates increase is tough. That's why we've trimmed costs, deferred non-essential work and gone line by line through the budget to keep this increase as low as we can while still investing in the infrastructure our city needs. We are clear that kicking the can down the road on upgrading our infrastructure will only cost ratepayers more in the future." . "It would have been politically convenient to slash our rates increase in an election year, but the impact of that would be a hospital pass to the new council post October's Local Body election. That's not something we are willing to do." Council has taken a balanced approach and found $17.5 million in savings to reduce costs while not cutting back on basic services. Changes have been made to various Council fees and charges including the daily parking rate which moves to $12 per day citywide. The daily parking rate was previously $10 a day. And in a move that will save ratepayers about $50,000 a year, Council will now send four rates invoices a year instead of six. The change only affects how often you receive invoices, not the overall rates you're charged. You can find details here: Mayor Barry has also asked council officers to prepare budget review options for the incoming council to consider. These options will include a focus on service prioritisation, affordability, and value for money. "This is in response to the significant change that will come with water being removed from the council's balance sheet when the new entity is established. "This will be the biggest change for council since Hutt City Council's inception in 1989. It's the right time for council to do a full budget review." Council also approved a new initiative with other councils called the Rates Assistance Programme. The service will help councils to offer low-cost loans to ratepayers. Council also offers various rates relief packages if certain criteria is met. Details can be found here: The Annual Plan 2025/26 - which is similar to what was set out and consulted on last year in the 10 Year Plan- takes effect from 1 July 2025. The final Annual Plan 2025-26 will be published on our website. Before then, it can be found from page 129 of this document:
