Horizons Regional Council adopts 2026-27 Annual Plan

Council adopted the 2026-27 Annual Plan at a meeting on Tuesday, with a 5.9% average rates increase across the Horizons Region for the coming year.
 
Horizons chair Nikki Riley acknowledges the final figure is higher than the range of 4.6% to 4.9% signalled in December, and the 4.76% Council preliminarily settled on in May.
 
“The difference between May and now is investment into our River Management team, Regional Spatial Planning, and Plan Change 2 implementation,” says Cr Riley.
 
“While the final average rates increase is higher than we were aiming for, it is down on the 9% average initially contained in the Long-term Plan for this coming year.
 
“We know rates increases are not ideal. That’s why we’ve brought the average rates increase down by deferring new roles, delaying new public transport services in parts of the region, removing or reducing additional spend in some areas, and using reserves to fund work.
 
“At the same time, we have invested in select areas where we see real need: more possum control, funding Ashhurst school bus services, and the three items we’ve added since May’s preliminary decisions.”
 
The Plan Change 2 decision from the Environment Court, released in June, contains clear expectations on delivery, Cr Riley says.
 
“We must properly resource this work to fulfil these expectations, and to help the farmers and growers across the region who will be applying for consents under the Plan Change 2 framework.

“Central government’s resource management reform requires our region to have a Regional Spatial Plan. These plans will set 30-plus year direction for the region’s growth and infrastructure, while also considering key constraints for growth and development such as natural hazard risks and outstanding natural landscapes and features. This work will be a collaboration with and co-funded by city and district councils in the region.”
 
As part of work to bring the average rates increase lower, a range of roles were deferred, says Cr Riley.
 
“Two currently vacant roles within the River Management team were previously proposed not to be filled. However, Council has decided to reinstate those roles to support a significant flood protection work programme, particularly within the Pohangina-Ōroua river management scheme. That scheme will fund 80% of one of the roles, while the other role will be focused on regulatory matters and project delivery.”
 
The rates increase will differ between property types, as well as between districts, for a range of reasons, says Cr Riley.
 
“This is particularly true for those districts that have had a revaluation completed this year: Horowhenua, Manawatū and Whanganui. Targeted services, such as the new Whanganui passenger transport network which was approved under the previous Council as part of the previous Long-term Plan, will also impact ratepayers differently.”
 
The full 2026-27 Annual Plan will be published within a month, both in printed version and online via the Horizons website.

Image: The Pohangina Valley.