Mayor of Tararua

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the district and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. 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 Tararua District Council mayoral 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.

  • Continue our move to ensure activity charges fall with the user of the services, including public good.

    Delivering full transparency with council finances.

    Constantly asking the questions given our small ratepayer base around affordability, who pays and what or who benefits.

  • Continue to apply good governance oversight to operational activities. Monitor, hold to account and ask "big picture" questions.

    Identify the priorities and "nice to haves" for the district and communicate these to ratepayers so choices can be made.

    Target fees and charges to areas where "user pays" to minimise impact on general rating take.

  • Continue our move to ensure activity charges fall with the user of the services, including public good.

    Delivering full transparency with council finances.

    Constantly asking the questions given our small ratepayer base around affordability, who pays and what or who benefits.

  • Continue to apply good governance oversight to operational activities. Monitor, hold to account and ask "big picture" questions.

    Identify the priorities and "nice to haves" for the district and communicate these to ratepayers so choices can be made.

    Target fees and charges to areas where "user pays" to minimise impact on general rating take.