Hutt City Council is inviting residents to have their say on rates, fees and charges, and future choices in its Draft Annual Plan 2026–27.

The draft plan sets out how Council is responding to cost pressures, Government proposed direction on rates capping and major reform across local government.

Mayor Ken Laban says the draft plan focuses on keeping costs down while protecting the services people rely on every day.

“We know households are under real pressure. With renewed cost of living pressures and global uncertainty, it’s more important than ever we keep rates as affordable as possible.”

The proposed rates increase is $4.33 per week, or $225 per year, for an average household. This proposal represents a 9.5% rates revenue increase after growth, down from 12.9% signalled last year.

Council has already delivered savings through the 10 Year Plan and Annual Plan processes, as we work to find more efficient ways of working.

Mayor Laban says the draft plan also sets a framework for important conversations in the coming months about matters covered in Council’s Adjusting Our Sails Target Operating Model, approved by Council in February 2026.

It outlines the changes needed to reduce costs and meet the Government’s proposed rates cap. This includes savings of about $24 million annually by 2034.

"This approach means we can work as best as we can to help households manage cost of living pressures, which now include rising fuel prices.

“But change at this scale won’t be easy and will involve difficult conversations about the services we provide and the assets we own. No decisions have been made and community input will be essential over the next 15 months.”

Consultation on the Draft Annual Plan 2026-27 closes at 5pm on 1 May 2026.

You can read the plan and have your say at hutt.city/draftannualplan

From 1 July 2026, water services will be managed by Tiaki Wai which will bill property owners separately from Council rates.

You can find out more about the new water organisation on their website tiakiwai.co.nz where you can also provide feedback on their draft Water Services Strategy.

You can access a rates calculator here - https://huttcitycouncil.cmail19.com/t/y-l-adytdut-hhdlhrxm-h/, and a Tiaki Wai water calculator here - https://huttcitycouncil.cmail19.com/t/y-l-adytdut-hhdlhrxm-k/

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