Head Start Pathway for Council amalgamation

Under the Government’s ‘Simplifying Local Government’ initiative, the Government has announced a voluntary pathway allowing Councils until August 9 to submit proposals to amalgamate into larger unitary authorities before the next local government elections in 2028, or the Government will design a structure for them after that time. Unitary authorities combine the responsibilities of both a regional and territorial (city/district) council into a single entity. Proposals must be agreed with other councils involved. Four Waikato councils (Waikato Regional Council, and South Waikato, Otorohanga and Waipa District Councils) have recently announced amalgamation preferences. The outlook for other councils including Waikato District is not yet clear, but your Council intends to meet the Head Start deadline rather than wait for the Government to make a ‘back stop’ decision for us. There are a range of amalgamation options we are considering including a Waikato region-wide unitary council and we will be working hard to keep you informed.

Waikato District Council confirms below inflation general rate increase for 2026/27

Waikato District Council approved a below inflation general rate increase of 2.8% at a Draft Annual Plan meeting last month. This will result in an average rate increase of 3.79% across the District when targeted rates are included. However, individual rate increases will vary according to the capital value of each ratepayer’s property and the specific services they receive such as a weekly rubbish collection.

Water increases are under half of what was forecast. For properties connected to water services, there is a $31.50 fixed charge increase for drinking water and a $110.72 fixed charge increase for wastewater for 2026/27. These will be charged from 1 July on behalf of IAWAI, the Waters CCO owned with Hamilton City Council, and will appear alongside other relevant fixed targeted charges in invoices.

Long Term Plan preparation

As part of its preparation for developing the Long Term Plan 2027-37 the Council has reviewed the latest district growth projections. A high growth scenario indicates Waikato District will more than double in population from about 88,000 in 2023 (about 90,000 now) to 220,000 by 2070. Hamilton is expected to grow from 184,000 to over 400,000 in the same time period. Growth in Waipa and Matamata Piako is projected to be more moderate. The Council is now reviewing community outcomes for consultation down the track.

District Plan

With only three appeals still to be resolved on the Waikato District Plan – Operative in Part (WDP-OiP), work is now underway on two final changes to improve the efficiency and clarity of the District Plan following review. One covers earthworks and the other covers a list of minor technical corrections.  To do this, Waikato District Council has obtained a Ministerial exemption from the nation-wide ‘plan stop’ which is in force until 31 December 2027 while the RMA is being replaced by a new planning system via the Planning and Natural Environment Bills. Once drawn up, these plan changes will be publicly notified. 

Contact your Tamahere-Woodlands Councillors:

Crystal Beavis, mob 0275 957 927, email crystal.beavis@waidc.govt.nz  

Mike Keir, mob 027 449 3012, email mike.keir@waidc.govt.nz