Have your say on the Annual Plan and Fees and Charges schedule

Residents across the Far North are invited to have their say on the council’s Mahere ā-Tau / Annual Plan 2026/27, along with the proposed Fees and Charges for the year ahead.

The Annual Plan sets out what the council will fund and deliver over the next financial year, including services like roads, libraries, parks and community facilities. The plan reflects a recent review of 2026/27 budgets to ensure alignment with the Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024–27.

The proposed 6.7 per cent rates increase for 2026/27 is what was signalled in the LTP. During a 1 April council meeting, elected members explored options to reduce rates further. However, this would mean less funding for services and community priorities.

Getting to a 6.7 per cent rates increase has taken a lot of work behind the scenes, including finding further savings and making careful choices about where money is spent. Most apparent is external costs the council can’t control such as rising fuel and supplier costs. With ongoing recovery work following recent severe weather events, keeping the rates increase at 6.7 per cent helps make sure the council can keep delivering the everyday services people rely on and stay ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

While the Annual Plan largely reflects what was agreed through the Long Term Plan, this provides an opportunity for the community to stay informed and share feedback before decisions are finalised.

Kahika Moko Tepania said it was important people take the time to understand what is being proposed and have their say. “We know cost of living pressures are front of mind for many households. At the same time, we need to continue investing in essential services and infrastructure that our communities rely on.

“This is an opportunity for people to see what’s planned, understand what it means for them, and share what matters most.

“We all recognise the pressure our communities are under, but we also need to think about the long-term impact. With rising costs and recent weather events, it’s important we focus on sustainable solutions through the Long Term Plan rather than making decisions that could create more pressure in the future.”

Alongside the Annual Plan, the council is also seeking feedback on its Fees and Charges schedule for 2026/27. This covers a range of services, including building and resource consents, as well as the use of council facilities, with any approved changes taking effect from 1 July 2026.

All feedback will be considered by elected members before the final Annual Plan and Fees and Charges are adopted in June 2026.

Have your say by Sunday 17 May 2026.

Residents can view the Annual Plan and Fees and Charges information and provide feedback online via the council’s Have Your Say webpage, or by email, post, or in person at council service centres.