Horizons adopts 2025-26 Annual Plan, does not amend Long-term Plan

Horizons Regional Council has formally adopted its 2025-26 Annual Plan, confirming the work programme for the next year – including improved public transport services, enhanced pest control and more river management maintenance.

However, a proposed amendment to the 2024-34 Long-term Plan, which would enable a possible sale of Horizons’ stake in CentrePort, will not go ahead. 
 
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says the average rates increase of 8.8% is lower than what was in the Long-term Plan (12%) and what was consulted on earlier this year (11.3%).
 
“We have adjusted our plans for the upcoming year based on a changing legislative and policy landscape from central government, and by working hard to find efficiencies in insurance, overheads and reprioritisations,” Cr Keedwell says.
 
“At the same time, we have stuck to what we said we would do in our Long-term Plan and retained additional funding for biodiversity, river management maintenance and public transport programmes.
 
“Of the 8.8% increase, about 1.6% is for targeted public transport rates – meaning they only impact the areas where the services run – about 2.2% for biosecurity and biodiversity (0.9% of that is targeted), and about 1.3% for targeted increased river management and drainage maintenance. The remaining 3.8% reflects increased ‘business as usual’ costs.
 
“Exact rates increases will differ between properties and districts for a range of reasons, including targeted rates programmes and property revaluations.”
 
Council consulted on two specific issues for the Annual Plan: improving public transport in Whanganui and Horowhenua without central government co-investment, and how to pay of a loan for Horizons’ portion of works on Te Pūwaha – the Whanganui port revitalisation project.
 
Feedback was overwhelmingly in support of proceeding with investing in public transport without central government co-investment, says Cr Keedwell.
 
“Proceeding with contributing Horizons’ share of funding means we are able to deliver an improved Whanganui network. This network will feature services to currently unserved areas, such as Pūtiki, and also have buses running seven days a week. 
 
“Bus patronage has grown significantly in the city since we introduced Te Ngaru The Tide in 2023. The improved network should see that growth continue.  
 
“Today’s decision also means we can deliver new services for Horowhenua, including Levin-specific routes to assist with the town’s growth. Public engagement about what Horowhenua services could look like is planned to take place later this year.
 
“This decision does not mean we will not seek central government co-investment in the future, and we will continue working to secure it if it becomes available again.” 
 
While submissions were in favour of paying off the Te Pūwaha loan over 25 years, Council decided to pay the loan off over 35 years to reflect the expected life of the assets, says Cr Keedwell. 
 
“This ensures the cost is spread across those a wider range of people who will benefit from the assets.”
 
Council also consulted on possibly selling Horizons’ CentrePort shareholding, but has decided not to at this time, says Cr Keedwell.
 
“As the shareholding is defined in the Local Government Act as a strategic asset, Council would need to amend its Long-term Plan before a sale.
 
“We asked if Council should continue investigations into a possible sale, and then proceed with a sale if the outcome of those investigations found a sale would be favourable for ratepayers. Proceeds would have then be invested into a managed fund.
 
“While Council has agreed to proceed with investigations, we have declined to approve proceeding with a sale afterwards if investigations find a sale would be favourable to ratepayers. This means Council would need to consult again before proceeding with any possible sale.”  
 
The final Horizons 2025-26 Annual Plan, with the full details of Horizons’ work programmes, will be publicly available on Horizons’ website www.horizons.govt.nz within the next few weeks. Anyone wanting to check what their next rates invoice will look like can use the rates search tool from next week at https://www.horizons.govt.nz/property-rates/rates-search.

Image: A bus in Whanganui. The city's bus network is set to be improved after Council committed funding via the 2025-26 Annual Plan process.