Your rates explained

As your regional council, our role differs from that of the city and district councils. We’re responsible for managing the region’s land, air and water resources on behalf of the communities we serve. We also manage pest plants and animals, enhance biodiversity, contract passenger transport services, plan regional transport, work to mitigate the risk and impact of flooding, undertake science and monitoring, and lead the planning for and response to natural disasters to help keep people and property safe.

Funding and costs

This year our priority areas continue to be freshwater, climate change, biodiversity, and making our data and information accessible to our communities. This work includes:

  • Horowhenua – the Punahau Lake Horowhenua restoration project which aims to improve water quality and aquatic health in the lake. 
  • ​Manawatū – river management repairs following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and work within Tōtara Reserve, our regional park. 
  • Palmerston North – an improved public transport network that will include greater frequency and a fully electric bus fleet. 
  • Rangitīkei – control of the invasive pest plant Old Man’s Beard which smothers native biodiversity. 
  • Ruapehu – animal pest control as part of the Kia Whārite project which aims to protect North Island brown kiwi and whio (blue ducks). 
  • Tararua – funding for a district-wide river management scheme and repairs following Cyclone Gabrielle. 
  • Whanganui – Te Pūwaha, the port revitalisation project that includes strengthening of river control structures. 


The inside ring of this graph shows where we're spending our rates revenue this financial year. The outside ring explains where this revenue comes from.

What every $1 of general rates is spent on:

Horizons in your neighbourhood

We’re working across all of our region’s seven districts to make our place a healthy environment where the people thrive. Our community outcomes form a key part of our strategic approach to achieving this. Below is a snapshot of these outcomes and some of our priority work programmes your rates.

Our communities are resilient to the impacts of natural hazards and climate change

This work looks to protect the economic and social well-being of our communities. The four components of this are flood protection and control, emergency management, climate change and strategic management. This financial year there are key activities around flood protection and climate change.

Find out more about this work

Our ecosystems are healthy

This work primarily protects and enhances our region's and communities' environmental well-being. There are two main components to this – freshwater quality and ecosystem health and biodiversity on land, both of which continue to be challenging issues for our region. This year we'll continue working towards implementing the government's Essential Freshwater package through the Oranga Wai – Our Freshwater Future programme.

Find out more about this work

Our transport networks are effective

This work aims to enhance our communities' economic and social well-being and protect our environmental well-being. There are four components to this, land transport planning, public transport, Total Mobility and road safety. This financial year some key activities are happening in land transport planning and public transport. 

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Our economy is thriving

This work looks to enhance our communities' economic well-being. The five components of this are strategic management, land transport, land drainage, biosecurity and land management. This year we'll continue to work with our Te Pūwaha partners on the Whanganui Port revitalisation project, which will secure the port as a long-term community economic and recreational asset. Horizons' involvement includes upgrades to the North Mole and repairs to the South Mole. These works will help enable an operational port and provide flood protection. A business as usual approach will be taken for the other components within this outcome to promote economic well-being.

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Our communities are vibrant and empowered

This work aims to enable our communities to participate meaningfully in decision-making and take action to benefit our collective wellbeing. There are six components to this – governance, community engagement, iwi and hapū, community partnerships, strategic management and information. Our local government elections in October 2022 provided you with an opportunity to vote for who represents you and your community best. For the first time, our Council included two Māori representatives. This year also brings a number of public consultation processes.

Find out more about this work