Kāpiti Coast District Council has adopted its annual plan and set rates for the coming year, with a focus on sticking to the long-term objective of building a resilient future for the Kāpiti Coast.

The Annual Plan 2025/26 is an update to year two of the Long-term Plan 2024/34 (LTP), which outlines the projects and services to be delivered over 10 years. It was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 May.

Work included in the Annual Plan includes important capital projects to upgrade the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant and the Waikanae water treatment plant, and building Te Ara Whetū, the new library and community hub in Waikanae.

Council is also progressing its financial strategy to reduce debt by a total of $153 million by 2034, building capacity to respond to natural disasters and maximise growth opportunities.

To do the mahi (work) outlined in the plan and reduce Council’s debt levels, rates revenue will rise by 6.9 percent after growth for the year – within the 7 percent limit set in the LTP.

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the Annual Plan sets Kāpiti up for future challenges.

“We’ve stuck to what we agreed with the community last year, with some minor amendments made to accommodate rising costs,” Mayor Holborow says.

“Everything we’re doing is about making sure Kāpiti is well-placed for whatever the future brings, because based on our recent experience and the predictions we can draw from we know there will be unexpected challenges ahead.

“This is why we’re continuing to invest in our core water infrastructure, which is among the best in New Zealand, and our other essential services.

“It’s why we’re reducing our debt, so that we can respond to potential natural disasters and growth opportunities strongly.

“We’re also balancing this future focus with the current pressures we all face – no one wants to see high rates rises.

“We have worked hard to find significant operational savings, so we can keep rates as affordable as we can.”

Mayor Holborow says the bulk of Council’s rates-funded operational spending for the year ($114m) will be on core services like water management, roading and transport, and pools, parks and playgrounds.

“We’ll be spending $34.1m of ratepayer money on our wastewater, storm water and drinking water services, $17m on our transport network, and $10.1m on our parks and open spaces.

“These and our other services all play important parts in making Kāpiti such a great place to live and do business in, and it’s important we make sure we continue to invest in what we’ve got.”

The final 2025/26 Annual Plan will be available to read at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/annualplan in the coming days.

Fees and charges adopted

At the same meeting Council also adopted the fees and charges used to cover some of the costs of facilities and services for the 2025/26 year.

Most fees and charges increases have been held at the 3.2 percent inflation factor used by local government.

There are some exceptions where fees and charges have risen. These include:

• Building Consent Fees: Fees for code compliance certificates and some LIMs will go up. Online consent application fees will also increase due to changes by our online system vendor.
• Domestic Food Business Levy: A new levy set by MPI will be introduced. The Council will charge a small fee to cover the cost of collecting this revenue for the Government.
• Hall Hire Fees: These will increase by 10% to cover higher costs.
• Learn to Swim Programme: Minor changes include more convenient payment options, flexibility for school participation, and a small regular charge for students to access the pool outside of lessons.
• Access and Transport: Corridor access request fees for project works will increase beyond inflation to cover higher costs.
• Wastewater Fees: Septage disposal and trade waste discharge fees will rise beyond inflation. A new fee for wastewater connection inspections will be introduced.
• Potable Water Fees: Adjustments will be made to fees for water meter special readings, filling point access cards, and water volume charges at Council filling points.
• Waikanae Pop-up Fees: New fees will be established to help cover the costs of the Waikanae Pop-up for start-up businesses in the short term.

The full register of proposed fees and charges can be found at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/annualplan.

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