Source: Porirua City Council
Porirua City Council has adopted its Annual Plan for the coming year, confirming a zero per cent increase for non-water rates.
The plan outlines council services and projects and sets the budget to pay for them.
Earlier this month it was projected that there would be on average a zero per cent increase to non-water rates for existing ratepayers in the 2026/27 Annual Plan, down from the almost 4 per cent increase that was previously proposed. The zero increase was confirmed at today’s full Council meeting.
Rates for the 2026/27 year will also have the charges for water removed, which will see around 30 per cent come off bills, on average.
The new projection came after factoring in the impact of the recently released Quotable Value valuations on the spread of rates. The zero per cent increase is the average across all rating categories. The QV valuations significantly increased the value of utility properties at a time when many other property-type categories, including residential, decreased in value.
Mayor Anita Baker said council had worked hard to reduce costs wherever possible.
“To land a zero increase on non-water rates is a win for our communities during challenging financial times where people are feeling the pinch,” she said.
“We’ve achieved this without cutting services or reducing maintenance work – so we are still investing in the things that keep our city running. Significantly, we’ve also achieved a balanced budget and will fully rates fund depreciation, so we’re not pushing costs down the line to future generations.”
Estimated average rates for each suburb and more information on rates and the Annual Plan process can be found at poriruacity.govt.nz/rates-faqs.
Individual rates for each property will now be calculated, with figures available on our website from late July.