South Wairarapa District Council intends to adopt its 2026/27 Annual Plan on 25 June and confirm a 5.4 percent increase in total rates revenue for the financial year.
Mayor Fran Wilde said Council had committed to maintaining essential services and investing in critical infrastructure, while keeping rates within the 6.5% increase forecast when the current Long-Term Plan was developed last year.
“We know this continues to be a tough time for many households. Increased costs and economic uncertainty are being felt across our community and we’ve taken a careful, balanced approach to minimise the impact on ratepayers, while still delivering what South Wairarapa needs,” she said.
“This current year has seen us progress a number of key projects for the community, including finishing Te Papa Ora o Mōroa (Wheels Park), completing the Tauwharenīkau Pipeline crossing and renewing sections of Featherston’s drinking water network. We plan to keep this momentum going through the next 12 months.”
The 2026/27 Annual Plan focuses on maintaining core services and infrastructure, with no major changes to the direction set in the 2025-34 Long-Term Plan.
“This Annual Plan is about doing the basics well. We’re continuing to invest in the infrastructure our community relies on every day, while being mindful of affordability and the pressures people are facing.”
The coming year will be a significant transition period for water services and the final year of three waters being delivered as part of Council operations. South Wairarapa District Council, alongside neighbouring councils and iwi partners, have established Waitī Waters, the new entity that will take over delivery of the region’s three water services from 1 July 2027.
“Council intends to continue investing in water infrastructure during 2026/27 to ensure assets are in good condition ahead of that transition.
“Our roads and bridges are our other major assets and included in the total rates increase is a top-up of $250,000 to the Council’s Infrastructure Resilience Fund, to help fund repairs following significant weather events.
