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Published on 23 June 2026
Change to Annual Plan means Council will miss statutory deadline.
At Tuesday’s meeting of Waitaki District Councillors, following a Notice of Motion from Mayor Tavendale – the Councillors resolved via majority decision to revoke the 22% rate setting decision made on May 26 2026 and replace it with 17%.
Council Officers, at the new direction of the Mayor and Councillors, will now redevelop the Annual Plan and hope to have it available for approval by 9 July 2026.
Waitaki District Council will not meet the statutory deadline of 30 June 2026 to have a confirmed Annual Plan and rates set for the 2026-27 financial year.
The Minister for Local Government, Simon Watts, will be notified of the decision to breach the statutory deadline and Council will await his response.
The new rate setting of 17% has been made possible by an easing of economic pressures as fuel prices reduce, a one-off $1 million special dividend from Council’s Council Controlled Organisation Whitestone Contracting Ltd., and a direction to seek cost savings that may reduce the level of services delivered to the community.
However, this will involve additional borrowing in the 2026-27 financial year to cover operating expenses – and repayment of this will be a factor in setting future rates and developing the 2027-37 Long Term Plan.
ENDS
media@waitaki.govt.nz