FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rates invoices for the 2025/2026 financial year will be arriving soon. On Thursday, 26 June, Council adopted the Long Term Plan 2025–2034, which includes the confirmed rates for the coming year. The Long Term Plan 2025-2034 is now available online on the Westland District Council Website under Plans and Policies.
All ratepayers contribute to the general rate, but the impact on individual properties will vary depending on the type of property, its location, and the services it receives. As a result, some properties will experience a rate increase below the district-wide average, while others may see a higher increase.
The average rates increase for the 2025/2026 year is 13.2%. This represents a slight rise from the 12.9% proposed in the draft Long Term Plan consulted on earlier this year. The change is due to the following adjustments:
- Inclusion of depreciation costs for the Museum building, with the opening date brought forward.
- A $20,000 grant to WestReap to deliver youth services as the second year of a three-year period.
- Updates to interest rate assumptions. The final Plan reflects current market interest rates, which are higher than those used in the draft. As a result, Council will now pay more in interest than it receives from investments, requiring an additional $68,000 to be funded through the general rate.
Although Council decided not to proceed with the proposed Hannah’s Clearing remediation project and the toddler’s pool at the Hokitika Swimming Pool, these projects were not scheduled to affect the 2025/2026 rates and therefore did not reduce the required funding for the year.
These changes will result in a small increase to all ratepayers compared to what was originally proposed in the draft Long Term Plan.
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor
Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz