Horizons encompasses Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Wanganui, Manawatu, Palmerston North, Tararua, Horowhenua also some parts of Taupo, Stratford and Waitomo districts.

Horizons has certain responsibilities bestowed on it from central government. We also actively consult with the community to ensure we represent the wishes of our ratepayers and utilise ratepayers' money in ways the community agrees with.

We publicly notify when we have new Plans or are proposing changes to existing Plans(e.g. LTCCP, One Plan). You can make a submission on any of these Plans when they are in their draft stage.

A water quality (siltation) and soil conservation response to the accelerated erosion problem in our highly erodible hill country.

A defined area that receives flooding, erosion and drainage benefits and pays a targeted rate for that service. A Scheme rate varies according to the benefit received from stopbanks, pump stations, drainage systems and other flood protection facilities.

The local body Elections are held every three years and will be held on 13 October 2007. (Not to be confused with the general election [election of Prime Minister etc] which is to be held next year - 2008).

Any person who is a New Zealand citizen, and enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll. You can check whether you are on the electoral roll by inspecting it at a library, or at your District or City Council offices.

You can download a form from our website.

You can collect a Candidate Information Pack from:

    * Regional House Palmerston North
    * Regional House Wanganui
    * Service Centres at Marton, Taumarunui, Taihape, Woodville
    * District and City Council offices in the Horizons region
    * Or ring freephone 0508 800 800 to have one posted to you

This will include a nomination form, information on Horizons' Region, how to apply to become an Horizons Councillor, and other general information.

It consists of six constituencies, which are detailed on the constituency map on our website. A map is also included in the Candidate Information Pack.
Twelve Councillors represent the six constituencies and details are in the Candidate Information Handbook.

Nominations open on Friday 27 July, and close at 12 noon on Friday 24 August 2007. This time is strictly adhered to under law, and no nominations will be accepted after 12 noon on that date.

A sum of $200 is payable with your nomination (or before 12 noon on 24 August 2007). This will be refunded if you are elected, or if you obtain 25% of the votes.

To Regional House Palmerston North. Instructions are on the back of the nomination form. You must either hand-deliver this to the Electoral Officer at Regional House, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North, or post to the Electoral Officer, Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Palmerston North.

Provisional and final results will be put on our website. Progress reports should start appearing from 5 pm on Saturday 13 October, with updates as they become available. Final results should be known around 17-19 October.

Key Dates
27 July - Nominations open
24 August - Nominations close at 12 noon
21 - 26 September - Voting papers delivered
13 October - Election Day
Mid October - Declaration of final results (expected about 17-19 October)

The maximum amount of your electoral expenses is governed by legislation. You will find details in the Candidate Information Handbook.

The elections are conducted by postal voting.
Voting papers will be delivered between 21 and 26 September.
Voting papers are organised by District and City Councils, and not by Horizons.
Be sure to complete your voting paper and post in plenty of time for your vote to be received before 12 noon on Saturday 13 October.
If you are going to be away between 21 September and 13 October and may not receive your voting paper, then contact your District or City Council Electoral Officer before you go and discuss your options with him/her.

If you have not received your voting paper by 27 September, then contact your District or City Council Electoral Officer.

Details of the Council and Committee meetings held by Horizons are on the website www.horizons.govt.nz under "Council". Details are also included in the Candidate Information Handbook.

You can contact either:

    * Craig Grant, Electoral Officer; or
    * Kay Booth, Deputy Electoral Officer

by ringing them on Freephone 0508 800 800, or email elections@horizons.govt.nz.

We have expanded our rates remissions to landowners who are completing work which has environmental benefits, such as possum control and significant habitat and erosion protection work. Phone the rates hotline on 0508 700 800 to get an application form sent to you, or download one from www.horizons.govt.nz.

If you have recently bought or sold the property the required details may not yet have been forwarded to Horizons. Phone the rates hotline on 0508 700 800 for assistance. Have you changed your postal address and not notified this office? If not, this may also be a reason why.

All property owners are required by law to pay rates. The final date for payment for all rates is 28 September 2007. If rates are not paid in full, or an arrangement is not made with Horizons, penalties will be charged in October.

If you are having difficulty paying your rates we may be able to enter into a payment arrangement with you. Call the rates hotline 0508 700 800 for more information. It may be possible to obtain a rates rebate on your combined city/district and regional rates if you are on a low income.

Contact us on 0508 700 800 and we will send you a form to complete so we can remove your details. You can also download a form from www.horizons.govt.nz.

Totara Reserve is based in the Manawatu district, and sits in the foothills of the Ruahine Ranges in the Pohangina Valley. It is used by many people as a recreational area and is a valuable piece of native bush in Horizons’ Region.

In December 2007 Central Government agreed to help fund our Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) to prevent hill country erosion. As a result we have adjusted amounts and funding splits to reflect the funding agreement for the costs to be equally shared between landowners, ourselves and Central Government. We are increasing our SLUI Uniform Annual Charge (UAC) from $15 to $19.88.

Our Region’s problems with hill country erosion were sorely exposed during the February 2004 storm event. In response, representatives from our Region’s communities and stakeholder organisations have joined together and formed the Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI), which seeks to implement Whole Farm Business Plans specifically tailored to manage each area of highly erodible land. The aim is to help insure against having to recover from the effects of massive-scale hill erosion in the future.

Wanganui is in need of flood protection.

Extensive engineering investigations have shown that the Wanganui urban area is not adequately protected from flooding. To reflect our commitment to the district we are establishing a new river management scheme on a stage by stage basis, with more public consultation for each of the subsequent stages.

As a result a new river flood and management scheme for the Lower Whanganui River will be established in 2008-09. Extensive engineering investigations have been completed over the past 20 months to identify the level of flood risk and potential damage costs to urban, commercial and industrial areas within Wanganui. Subsequent work has identified a number of mitigation options. A full scheme proposal was developed, along with estimated costs over a 20 year period and funding options. A draft targeted differential rating system was developed and sample property rating impacts have been identified.

A Scheme rate varies according to the benefit received from stopbanks, pump stations, drainage systems and other flood protection facilities.

If your property is at a high risk of flooding, then you pay a higher rate as you receive greater benefit from the protection. If you live further from a waterway, you still pay for the benefits of flood-protected roads, shops and services, but at a lower rate.

All properties in the Region are revalued on a three-yearly cycle. If your property has been revalued this year, it will mean the value on which your property is rated will have changed and this will have affected the General Rate, as properties do not uniformly move in value.

We are beginning a major project on Wanganui Flood Protection which has increased this year. Also, like any organisation or person, Horizons faces cost increases. While every effort is made to contain costs, some increases cannot be avoided. These include fuel, electricity, employment and service provider costs.

This is a fixed rate applied to ratepayers who benefit from a specific type of work. It is not assessed on capital value like the general rate. Uniform Annual Charges include SLUI ($19.88 per property throughout the Region), Regional Parks ($5.95 per Palmerston North and Manawatu property) and Habitat Protection ($10.86 on each rateable property throughout the Region).

The UAGC funds a large range of activities from which every ratepayer benefits equally. It is a fived rate that is applied to every rateable property in the Region. The UAGC is fixed this year at $42 per rateable property.

Everyone who owns a property in Horizons' Region will get a rates invoice from Horizons.