Council adopts Annual Plan 2026-27 and sets rates at 16.9%

Published on 09 July 2026

Today Waitaki District Council adopted its Annual Plan 2026-27 at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council.

Following adoption of the Annual Plan, and after a long and passionate debate, councillors passed the Resolution to Set Rates – establishing an average rate for the Waitaki District of 16.9% as required by the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

All but two councillors, Sven Thelning and Franz Schlack, voted for the rise. Both of these councillors wanted to set a higher rate because they believed the 17% would push the debt on to future generations and was not in the best interest of the community.

Waitaki Mayor Mel Tavendale opened the pre-vote discussion by saying the number that sat in front of them was not a comfortable number but it was the lowest number the Council could accept to ensure it met the needs of the water plan that was adopted only last week, and may still mean we have to reduce some services.

She said water charges had risen by 43% and the role of Central Government in ensuring water infrastructure could be delivered in a cost effective and fair manner for small communities and within the allocated time frame, should rest with Central Government.

She also pointed to the services delivered by Central Government to the rest of New Zealand but not to Waitaki. Examples are:

• There are currently no homelessness outreach services operating in the district, and no Housing First programme, a government‑funded approach delivered in other parts of the country to provide long‑term housing and support for people experiencing chronic homelessness. 
• Recent outreach contract extension awarded in Dunedin does not reach Waihemo, despite Palmerston falling within the Dunedin boundary for MSD service delivery. 
• Public and community housing settings are also limiting the district’s ability to respond to growing need. There are currently no new Kāinga Ora or community housing tenancies allocated for Waitaki, and areas south of Christchurch are not a priority under current national policy settings.

Mayor Tavendale said Waitaki social service contracting suffers greatly from contracts being awarded in Timaru and Dunedin with the assumption that providers will travel to cover Waitaki. These were all issues that needed to be addressed and would then provide some support for the issues facing us.

Councillor Dan Lewis said representing the community was not about doing the popular thing but doing the right thing, a sentiment backed up by Councillor Jim Hopkins who said representation did not mean we had to obey the community but do the best thing for the community.

All councillors acknowledged the burden for their communities but said they had to face reality.

Councillors said the incorrect information circulated, and the disrespect shown to councillors who were members of the community, were born here and raised families here, undermined the democratic process.

This Annual Plan is the last where Waitaki District Council will charge for water services, or be responsible for the maintenance, repair and upgrade of water pipes and water treatment. From 1 July 2027, these responsibilities will be taken on by the new Southern Waters CCO in which Waitaki District Council is an equal shareholder.

Waitaki District Council will also now begin developing its Long-Term Plan 2027-2037, as required by the Local Government Act 2002. While amalgamation is likely to take place during the timespan of the Long-Term Plan – it is an opportunity for the Waitaki District to determine the shape of Council without water services – which has dominated both its capital infrastructure work, and accrued borrowing over the last six years.