Opotiki District Council has adopted its 2026-27 Annual Plan, locking in an average rate rise for the district of 8.7 percent – well below the projected 16 percent in the council’s long-term plan.

Annual Plans support long-term plans and provide the basis for setting and assessing rates for the coming year.

This year, as allowed for under the Local Government Act, the council has been able to save ratepayers the cost of undertaking a Special Consultative Procedure, as there were no significant changes from the content of the 2024 – 2034 Long-Term Plan.

Mayor David Moore said council staff worked hard to get the projected rates rise below what was proposed in the long-term plan. “Staff put in a lot of work to refine down the budget. During consultation on the long-term plan, our community was clear about its priorities: focus on the basics, manage costs carefully, and defer non-urgent spending where possible.

“This annual plan, which is year three of the long-term plan, reflects that feedback and savings have been achieved with little impact on core services. Achieving this was in part down to refining assumptions, seeking deferrals, and finding efficiency gains.

He said councils across the country were operating in a challenging environment.“Ongoing reform of water services, changes to local government and sustained inflationary pressure have all increased the cost and complexity of delivering core services.

“Despite this, the council will still deliver a substantial capital programme in 2026/27, with continued investment in three waters, transport, flood resilience, and public spaces.”