South Wairarapa District Council has adopted its 2025/34 Long-Term Plan, setting its budget, projects and priorities for the nine years ahead, and an overall rates increase for 2025-26 of 4.3%.

The average increase varies by property type and connection to particular services such as water or wastewater, which are driving the increase. Mid-range property in Featherston is 10.6%, Greytown 8.2%, Martinborough 8.3%, and Lifestyle 6.8%.

Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter said councillors had worked hard to limit the rates increase, and that adopting the Long-Term Plan marks the end of an 18-month process to prepare the plan, but just the start of implementing it.

“We’re conscious that in making the decisions that led us here we might not find favour with everybody” shared Sadler-Futter. “The community as a whole is at heart of the work we do and I’m proud of where we landed today”.

Public consultation was held in April, followed by hearings and deliberations where the Council agreed to:  

• Maintain the level of uniform rates at 21%, instead of increasing to 28% as proposed in the consultation.  
• Maintain the current funding model for services and facilities based in the three main towns instead of introducing a District Services Rate. This would have seen a higher portion of funding come from those who lived closer to town centres.   
• Refine the definition of Separately Used or Inhabitable Part (SUIP) to make it clear which exclusions apply. 
• Change the Refuse & Recycling Charge back to per rating unit instead of per SUIP. 
• Spend $6.05 million to operate and maintain the water network for 2025/26.   
• Fund the full Low Cost Low Risk roading improvements programme with an increased capital budget.  

Since deliberations, the Council also approved operational funding of $80,600 per annum for 2025-26 and 2026-27 to facilitate the establishment and delivery of a South Wairarapa Sports and Recreation service. This is in addition to the $80,000 uplift for the 2025-26 Community & Youth grant budget that was voted for during deliberations.

“We have also secured an additional $3 million of funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency to fund our Low Cost Low Risk roading improvements, reducing the level of borrowing that we indicated we would need during consultation” said Sadler-Futter.

In May, Council agreed to join a multi-council Council Controlled Organisation with Carterton, Masterton and Carterton district councils to deliver South Wairarapa’s water services. With a transition date of 30 June 2027, the three waters activities will be removed from the Long-Term Plan from 2027-28.

The plan has been through a rigorous audit process from Audit New Zealand who have issued an
unmodified audit opinion, with an emphasis of matter on water transition. The emphasis of matter on water is to reflect the degree of uncertainty that remains relating to the Water Service Delivery Plan and the next steps. This opinion provides assurance to the community that the plan provides a reasonable basis for long-term decision-making and accountability to the community.

While projected annual rates increases remain relatively steady across the Long-Term Plan, a notable spike of 15.4% is forecast for the 2027-28 year. This reflects a significant shift in how council services are funded and delivered, including overhead allocation with the removal of waters revenue, roading contract negotiations and insurance increases.

“We produce the Long-Term Plan with the information we have on hand at the time. Looking into the future, there is still uncertainty about what council will look like post waters transition.” Sadler-Futter shared.

The Long-Term Plan will be revisited in two years’ time.

Greater Wellington Regional Council rates are separate.

Ends

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