Hastings District Council

Hastings-Havelock North General Ward
The Hastings District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 15 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Seven councillors will be elected from the Hastings-Havelock North ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Hastings District Council election.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Restrict rate rises to the community by competent and thorough review by council identifying any unnecessary or redundant expenditure.

    Manage the oversight of council run activities to ensure operation on commercial principles to avoid any losses to be borne by ratepayers.

    Identify relevant user pays fees and charges to limit cross-subsidisation by ratepayers having no direct/indirect benefit from the activity.

  • Ease pressure on family budgets by working to keep rates increases reasonable, while also maintaining and delivering core services.

    Ensure a prosperous future and headroom for the unknown by limiting council loan funding of projects to those with multi-generational benefits.

    Drive private investment and development Hastings needs to meet employment, housing and environmental outcomes through strategic incentives.

  • Use finances effectively. Listening to the priorities of our community is vital.

    Encourage diversity around the council chambers and also in employees at the council. Communities need to see themselves reflected.

    Look for effective ways to reduce debt and generate income.

  • Investigate investments and instigate wise and local (NZ) investment, and to pay off debt as much as possible and quickly.

    Keep business and shop rents low to rectify the problem of empty properties and looking like ghost towns.

    Find ways to keep rates from rising every year, especially in a recession and when the cost of living and rents are high.

    Investigate investments and instigate wise and local (NZ) investment, and to pay off debt as much as possible and quickly.

    Keep business and shop rents low to rectify the problem of empty properties and looking like ghost towns.

    Find ways to keep rates from rising every year, especially in a recession and when the cost of living and rents are high.

  • Ensure that any debt council incurs is for the purchase of/or development of assets or infrastructure.

    Ensure that council expenditure is scrutinised and challenged by those with strong financial acumen.

    Ask whether the wider community afford to pay what we are asking of them. If not find where can rates, fees and charges be trimmed.

  • Commit to reducing rates increases.

    Introduce reduced fees and charges for first home builders.

    Commit to reducing council debt.

  • Collaboratively work with council staff to monitor rates and finances.

  • Restrict rate rises to the community by competent and thorough review by council identifying any unnecessary or redundant expenditure.

    Manage the oversight of council run activities to ensure operation on commercial principles to avoid any losses to be borne by ratepayers.

    Identify relevant user pays fees and charges to limit cross-subsidisation by ratepayers having no direct/indirect benefit from the activity.

  • Ease pressure on family budgets by working to keep rates increases reasonable, while also maintaining and delivering core services.

    Ensure a prosperous future and headroom for the unknown by limiting council loan funding of projects to those with multi-generational benefits.

    Drive private investment and development Hastings needs to meet employment, housing and environmental outcomes through strategic incentives.

  • Use finances effectively. Listening to the priorities of our community is vital.

    Encourage diversity around the council chambers and also in employees at the council. Communities need to see themselves reflected.

    Look for effective ways to reduce debt and generate income.

  • Investigate investments and instigate wise and local (NZ) investment, and to pay off debt as much as possible and quickly.

    Keep business and shop rents low to rectify the problem of empty properties and looking like ghost towns.

    Find ways to keep rates from rising every year, especially in a recession and when the cost of living and rents are high.

    Investigate investments and instigate wise and local (NZ) investment, and to pay off debt as much as possible and quickly.

    Keep business and shop rents low to rectify the problem of empty properties and looking like ghost towns.

    Find ways to keep rates from rising every year, especially in a recession and when the cost of living and rents are high.

  • Ensure that any debt council incurs is for the purchase of/or development of assets or infrastructure.

    Ensure that council expenditure is scrutinised and challenged by those with strong financial acumen.

    Ask whether the wider community afford to pay what we are asking of them. If not find where can rates, fees and charges be trimmed.

  • Commit to reducing rates increases.

    Introduce reduced fees and charges for first home builders.

    Commit to reducing council debt.

  • Collaboratively work with council staff to monitor rates and finances.