Today at Council – June 23 2026

Published on 23 June 2026

Here is a summary of decisions made at today’s Council meeting.

Revoke and replace rates for 2026-27

By a majority decision, the 26 May rate setting decision of 22% was revoked and replaced with a rate set of 17% following a Notice of Motion from Mayor Tavendale.

Chief Executive’s Report

The Chief Executive provided his quarterly report, including progress on Organisational Key Performance Indicators, including financial indicators, for the previous quarter and delivery of projects against the 2025-26 Year 1 of the Long Term Plan. The report highlighted the various government reforms including water reform, RMA reform and Simplifying Local Government that the Council is required to commit staff and financial resources to.

Representation on Regional Spatial Planning Governance Groups

The Government is replacing the Resource Management Act with separate Planning and Environment bills. As part of these, each region must form a governance group to develop a regional spatial plan. This is required even with the potential amalgamation of Councils within, or across regional boundaries.

Waitaki District requires appointments to both the Otago and Canterbury groups, as the District is in both regions and the Council is required to develop two Spatial Plans.

The Mayor and Councillors approved the appointment of Cr Hopkins and Cr Thelning to the Otago Interim Regional Spatial Planning Governance Group, and Cr Thelning to the Canterbury Interim Regional Spatial Planning Governance Group.

Road Naming Policy 2026

The Road Naming Policy was due for review, and minor changes have been made to maintain best practice – improving the 2017 policy.

The Mayor and Councillors approved the new policy.

Recommendations from Committees

The Performance, Audit and Risk Committee have proposed that PAR meetings be quarterly, with monthly workshops to update the Mayor and Councillors on the financial and risk position and to consider opportunities for efficiencies to be made within the

year or to be considered in the Long Term Plan. This would replace the current six-weekly model, as PAR meetings precede meetings of full Council.

The Mayor and Councillors approved the recommendation.

The Assets and Infrastructure Committee have recommended that parts of roads in Moeraki, Hampden and in the Macraes mine area be stopped and disposed of by amalgamation with neighbouring titles – including the sale and transfer where needed.

The Mayor and Councillors approved these recommendations.

ENDS

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