Annual Plan 2025/2026 Public Consultation Closed

16 May 2025

Public consultation for the 2025/2026 Annual Plan for the Tararua District has now closed.

Consultation was open from 14 April to 15 May. We received valuable feedback from residents that will help guide our decisions moving forward. Once the document has been adopted, we’ll make sure to highlight how your feedback influenced the decisions and outcomes. Below is a summary of what was consulted on and what the next steps are.

The consultation document prepared for this year's Annual Plan focused on three types of topics:

1️⃣ Consultation Items: Big decisions where we needed your input before making a final choice.

2️⃣ Feedback Items: Areas where we sought your thoughts to help guide our decisions.

3️⃣ Inform Items: Updates to keep you informed about what’s happening, with no decision required.

1. Consultation Items

👣 Footpaths: We consulted on footpath maintenance and repairs due to a reduction in funding from NZTA. The options presented included reducing the frequency of footpath cleaning to match the lower budget or maintaining the current level of service and covering the cost through rates. The council managed approximately 111km of footpaths and aimed to provide safe access and walking opportunities for pedestrians in urban areas. The consultation sought community input on how to best address these challenges and ensure the footpaths remained safe and serviceable.

2. Feedback Items

🚗 WaiSplash Carpark Proposal: A request has been made to council to purchase additional land to allow for a carpark extension. We asked for your feedback before we make any decisions.

3. Inform Items

🔎 S17A Reviews (Level of Service Reviews): Reviews of council services to ensure cost-effectiveness, reviews currently include camping grounds, swimming pools and how waste management is delivered.

🏨 Land Rationalisation: Reviewing council properties to align with community needs and reduce costs.

🔗 Integration of Services: Combining customer service and library services into a single team for better efficiency.

🏡 Pensioner Housing: Update on next steps for this service – we’re going to be conducing a review to decide how to best run this service in the future.

💧 Pahiatua Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade: Information about the type of treatment plant that will be constructed; a long-term investment that benefits the community and the environment,

🏊 Pahiatua Pool: Update on next steps – fundraising is progressing and the project will soon go to market for contracts.

🚰 Local Water Done Well: Part of the government's water reforms, an update on what’s happening in Tararua and the challenges/opportunities in this space.

For more detailed information, please refer to the consultation document available at  Annual Plan 2025/26 | Tararua District Council

Next steps

  • 21 May - Public Hearings (people speaking to their submissions)
  • 29 May – Council deliberates on submissions (changes are considered)
  • 25 June – Council meets to consider the adoption of the Annual Plan

Thank you once again to everyone who participated in the consultation.

More about the Annual Plan and Public Consultation

An Annual Plan outlines the Council's budget and activities for the upcoming year, detailing the resources required and how they will be funded.

Public consultation is a vital process where the community is invited to provide feedback on the proposed activities, services, and budget changes. This input is crucial for the Council to make informed decisions that reflect the community's needs and priorities.