South Wairarapa District Council has adopted its 2026/27 Annual Plan with a total rates increase lower than forecast in the 2025–34 Long Term Plan (LTP) and a renewed commitment to investing in essential infrastructure. 

The Annual Plan delivers a total rates revenue increase of 5.4 per cent for 2026/27, lower than the 6.5 per cent increase forecast in the LTP.  

The Annual Plan includes the Council’s 2026/27 fees and charges, with most increases between two and five per cent to reflect inflation and increasing costs. Some fees are unchanged. Dog control fees were approved in April. 

Rates remain Council’s primary source of funding, accounting for approximately 65 per cent of total revenue over the nine years of the LTP. The 2026/27 Annual Plan continues Council’s approach of managing costs while investing in infrastructure resilience.  

Annual Plan highlights

• total rates revenue increase of 5.4% – lower than the 6.5% forecast in the LTP 

• continued delivery of the Year Two work programme from LTP 

• no material changes to service levels, strategic direction or planned activities 

• fees and charges increasing by 2-5% where needed to reflect inflation and rising costs 

Read the Annual Plan 2026/27 on the Council website.