Southland District Council

Mararoa Waimea Ward
The Southland 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 12 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Three councillors will be elected from the Mararoa Waimea 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 Southland 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.

  • Ensure transparency and accountability in appropriation of rate payer funds.

  • Advocate strongly for increasing Waka Kotahi's contribution to our roading, so that our rates can be offset by more of the fuel tax take.

    Ensure that any policy introduced by government for council to implement comes with appropriate funding, so ratepayers aren't wearing it.

    Ensure that there is strong accountability for every cent of ratepayer money spent, and that consultants are only used out of necessity.

  • Thoroughly analyse infrastructure upgrade spending, including contractor rates.

    Look for ways to decrease debt incurred over recent years of development.

    Conduct research – searching for efficient methods of replacing aged water supply pipes, sewerage and stormwater systems.

  • Ensure rate increases are manageable for ratepayers and make sure there is effective and timely communication to inform the public.

    Introduce legislation regarding Airbnb properties so they are appropriately rated in accordance the income they are earning from letting.

    Leverage other income sources to support paying for infrastructure etc, eg via Tourism Infrastructure Funding or other such funds.

  • Prioritise where ratepayers will get the best cost versus value proposition. Invest in long term projects with future generations in mind.

    Understand that the single most important contributor to economic growth is the rule of law and that the public and private sector are bound.

    Reduce ratepayer funding costs for capital works projects, by establishing lenders who negotiate low fixed interest rates on loans.

  • Ensure transparency and accountability in appropriation of rate payer funds.

  • Advocate strongly for increasing Waka Kotahi's contribution to our roading, so that our rates can be offset by more of the fuel tax take.

    Ensure that any policy introduced by government for council to implement comes with appropriate funding, so ratepayers aren't wearing it.

    Ensure that there is strong accountability for every cent of ratepayer money spent, and that consultants are only used out of necessity.

  • Thoroughly analyse infrastructure upgrade spending, including contractor rates.

    Look for ways to decrease debt incurred over recent years of development.

    Conduct research – searching for efficient methods of replacing aged water supply pipes, sewerage and stormwater systems.

  • Ensure rate increases are manageable for ratepayers and make sure there is effective and timely communication to inform the public.

    Introduce legislation regarding Airbnb properties so they are appropriately rated in accordance the income they are earning from letting.

    Leverage other income sources to support paying for infrastructure etc, eg via Tourism Infrastructure Funding or other such funds.

  • Prioritise where ratepayers will get the best cost versus value proposition. Invest in long term projects with future generations in mind.

    Understand that the single most important contributor to economic growth is the rule of law and that the public and private sector are bound.

    Reduce ratepayer funding costs for capital works projects, by establishing lenders who negotiate low fixed interest rates on loans.