Whanganui's elected members have made key decisions on the Annual Plan 2026/27 with a clear focus on affordability, financial restraint, and continuing investment in the core services and facilities the community relies on.
The decisions follow community consultation earlier this year, where affordability, transparency and careful spending came through strongly.
Following deliberations, the council has landed on an average rates increase of 6.9 percent for 2026/27, with the final Annual Plan 2026/27 to be adopted later this month Mayor Andrew Tripe says the financial environment has changed significantly since consultation opened at the end of March, reflective of the global impacts of the fuel crisis rippling across New Zealand. The council has sought to balance long-term financial sustainability while absorbing costs wherever possible.
" While no one wants to see rates increase, none of us can ignore what is in front of us. Electricity costs alone are now expected to add around $1 million to council's costs next year, contributing an additional 1.2 percent to this year's rates increase. At the same time, bitumen for roading is up 45%, and plastic pipes used in water infrastructure are up 28% since February.
"We're also facing uncertainty around fuel prices, with that pressure estimated at around $1.3 million next financial year. That's a substantial cost that we have chosen to absorb. Our approach is to carefully manage it through existing budgets and service levels wherever possible, rather than passing it directly on to ratepayers."
Mayor Andrew says the increase needs to be viewed across more than a single year.
"Last year's rates increase came in well below what was forecast in the Long-Term Plan. As a result, the total rates bill for the average household remains lower than what was projected for 2026/27 in the Long-Term Plan, despite the pressures we've had to respond to this year."
Mayor Andrew thanked everyone who took the time to make a submission or to attend hearings on the Annual Plan.
"Community feedback played an important role in shaping these decisions and helped reinforce what matters most to our community," he says.
Key decisions made through deliberations include:
- Keeping entry to Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery free while continuing to explore additional revenue opportunities, reflecting community feedback on cost.
- Deferring the Davis Library extension for reconsideration through the next Long-Term Plan, while proceeding with roof replacement works.
- Continuing to operate with lean budgets while responding to unavoidable cost pressures.
- Continuing to operate Whanganui East Pool for the 2026/27 summer season while longer-term refurbishment planning progresses.
The Annual Plan 2026/27 will be formally adopted later this month and comes into effect from 1 July 2026.
More information of the deliberation items that the council considered can be found on our website.