Regional councillors approve 0.9 per cent rates increase for 2026/27

Waikato regional councillors have unanimously agreed on a 0.9 per cent increase in rates revenue from current ratepayers for 2026/27, which is down on the 1.4 per cent estimated in February’s draft annual plan budget. 

This increase is also below the 4.2 per cent projected rates revenue increase included in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan (LTP) for 2026/27, and the 5.7 per cent increase in rates revenue in 2025/26.

Applying unallocated prior year surpluses towards a one-off reduction in general rates revenue for 2026/27 accounts for 1.7 per cent of the reduction, with the remaining 1.6 per cent coming from changes staff and elected members made through the budget setting process.

This means council’s total rates revenue requirement from current ratepayers is $156.341 million (down from $157.076 million approved in February).

Individual household increases will vary depending on where they live, and the services they receive.

Chair Warren Maher says councillors are very pleased to be able to minimise the rates increase in a background of rising costs.

“We’ve gone through our processes from LTP, to draft budget to this annual plan and we’re really happy that we can maintain our critical work programme without handing ratepayers big increases.

“We’re also grateful to council staff for their time and effort to make it happen.”

The May meeting was recorded live and can be viewed here: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/council-meetings/council