Nelson City Council

Central General Ward
The Nelson City Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also passes local regulations and makes decisions about infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage, and about the region’s resources, including water, soil and the coastline. The council is made up of 12 councillors and the mayor. Four councillors will be elected from the Central General ward. The other councillors will be elected from other wards or by all voters in the district. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Nelson City 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.

  • Reduce council debt by removing wasteful council spending.

    Remove rates increase shocks through more predictable and clearly communicated rate change planning.

    Assess current council assets and their ability to generate income.

  • Firmly connect community needs with sound financial decisions based on ratepayer feedback and well-being.

    Review rates calculation methods, removing sharp increases and ensuring affordability for ratepayers.

  • Prioritise council expenditure to reduce the burden of rates on Nelson families, limiting rises to no more than the average Nelson income.

    Consider alternatives to the unsustainable $46.3 million library project.

    Collaborate with our local MP and central government to call for further investment in our region.

  • Require Nelson Airport Limited and Port Nelson Limited to develop business plans for operating in a low-carbon economy.

    Fund active transport and public transport by introducing peak-hour congestion charging.

    Balance affordable rates with fulfilling Council's role in advancing social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing.

  • Continue to reinforce the value that rates represent to Nelsonians, with reference to the benefits that rates bring to our lives in Nelson.

    Continue to value and support council's prudent financial management, while ensuring that rates rises are justifiable and warranted.

    Explain that rates rises are inevitably linked to revaluations of property by agencies outside of the control of council.

  • Reduce council debt by removing wasteful council spending.

    Remove rates increase shocks through more predictable and clearly communicated rate change planning.

    Assess current council assets and their ability to generate income.

  • Firmly connect community needs with sound financial decisions based on ratepayer feedback and well-being.

    Review rates calculation methods, removing sharp increases and ensuring affordability for ratepayers.

  • Prioritise council expenditure to reduce the burden of rates on Nelson families, limiting rises to no more than the average Nelson income.

    Consider alternatives to the unsustainable $46.3 million library project.

    Collaborate with our local MP and central government to call for further investment in our region.

  • Require Nelson Airport Limited and Port Nelson Limited to develop business plans for operating in a low-carbon economy.

    Fund active transport and public transport by introducing peak-hour congestion charging.

    Balance affordable rates with fulfilling Council's role in advancing social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing.

  • Continue to reinforce the value that rates represent to Nelsonians, with reference to the benefits that rates bring to our lives in Nelson.

    Continue to value and support council's prudent financial management, while ensuring that rates rises are justifiable and warranted.

    Explain that rates rises are inevitably linked to revaluations of property by agencies outside of the control of council.