Draft Annual Plan 2026-27

We are in year three of Hutt City Council’s 10 Year Plan 2024-2034, which sets out the services and projects we will fund over the next decade.

Financial pressure on ratepayers, Government direction on rates capping and upcoming legislative changes have highlighted the importance of the work we’re already doing to contain rate increases for our communities.

In February 2026, Hutt City Council approved Adjusting Our Sails, a target operating model report that responds to dealing with the unprecedented change facing local government. It outlines a programme to reduce Council’s costs to reduce the rates burden, respond to cost-of-living challenges and prepare for rates capping. This will guide our decision-making over the next three years as we engage with our community about service reductions and asset divestment. No decisions have been made at this stage.

This Annual Plan begins charting that new course with ongoing savings and efficiencies, while we develop proposals for future community engagement. It is grounded in careful financial management, ensuring every dollar is aligned to what matters most. These measures, and the transfer of water services to Tiaki Wai, have enabled us to reduce the proposed rates increase to $4.33 per week or $225 per year for an average household.

The overall rates revenue increase of 9.5% (after growth) is less than the 12.9% (after growth) signalled last year. Proposed rates rises vary across the different rating categories.

We want to hear from you about whether this strikes the right balance between affordability, continued investment and meeting the needs and expectations of our communities.