Wellington City Council

Takapū/Northern General Ward
The Wellington City 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 city). Three councillors will be elected from the Takapū/Northern ward. 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 Wellington 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.

  • Implement congestion charging for arterial roads during the busiest time of a day, these funds would be used to improve other modes.

    Adjust rates to recognize the increased cost of providing services to low density areas of the city.

    Change the intergenerational borrowing policy to recognise when most benefit will be accrued and not simply flat rated.

  • Maintain spending in accordance with prior budget plans to limit council programmes to within a manageable annual target increase boundary.

    Investigate new ways to reduce the rates burden on ratepayers in the city.

    Improve satisfaction scores of customer service-facing elements of council, council-controlled organisations and council enterprises.

  • Rates increase in line with Auckland and Christchurch. More investment needed for the northern suburb which contributes hugely in rates.

    Introduce new levy on developers to fund infrastructure in new suburbs. More competition encouraged by increasing preferred suppliers list.

    Get in partnership with central government to reduce council debts. Legacy spending cannot be compromised.

  • Advocate to central government for structures and funding that ensure local government can fulfil its critical roles.

    Consider intergenerational equity in balancing sustainable debt levels with necessary investment for the wellbeing of future generations.

    Review council fees and funding for publicly funded facilities such as for sports grounds to ensure sufficient and equitable access.

  • Continue to require council staff to deliver operational savings that can be used to offset cost increases and rates rises.

    Improve information about the condition of council assets so we can plan and prioritise looking after existing assets.

    Continue improving the quality of analysis in financial decisions, including offering options to the public during budget consultation.

  • Implement a targeted rate to discourage land banking and promote new housing.

    Participate in local government reforms and advocate for broadening of council revenue streams to reduce reliance on rates.

  • Support relevant sectors to attract business, talent and investment to Wellington and accelerate economic growth.

  • I am in favor of minimal rate increases to provide support fixed income and general ratepayers. This is what I am hearing on a daily basis.

    As a Chartered Accountant I am not in fear of taking on debt to fund revenue generating or infrastructural projects.

    I think council investments need to be focused on infrastructure. Do we need to own minority interests in commercial activities?

  • Quality spending of rates and prioritising expenditure, especially on infrastructure.

    Review council's investment to make sure the council is delivering what Wellingtonians want and need.

    Review council's fees and charges on public funded facilities, such as swimming pools and sports grounds.

  • Financial planning to prioritise funding for basic services and infrastructure before commitments are made on other projects.

    Provide more information to the public about rates and other revenue (who pays) and rates expenditure (where does it go).

  • Implement congestion charging for arterial roads during the busiest time of a day, these funds would be used to improve other modes.

    Adjust rates to recognize the increased cost of providing services to low density areas of the city.

    Change the intergenerational borrowing policy to recognise when most benefit will be accrued and not simply flat rated.

  • Maintain spending in accordance with prior budget plans to limit council programmes to within a manageable annual target increase boundary.

    Investigate new ways to reduce the rates burden on ratepayers in the city.

    Improve satisfaction scores of customer service-facing elements of council, council-controlled organisations and council enterprises.

  • Rates increase in line with Auckland and Christchurch. More investment needed for the northern suburb which contributes hugely in rates.

    Introduce new levy on developers to fund infrastructure in new suburbs. More competition encouraged by increasing preferred suppliers list.

    Get in partnership with central government to reduce council debts. Legacy spending cannot be compromised.

  • Advocate to central government for structures and funding that ensure local government can fulfil its critical roles.

    Consider intergenerational equity in balancing sustainable debt levels with necessary investment for the wellbeing of future generations.

    Review council fees and funding for publicly funded facilities such as for sports grounds to ensure sufficient and equitable access.

  • Continue to require council staff to deliver operational savings that can be used to offset cost increases and rates rises.

    Improve information about the condition of council assets so we can plan and prioritise looking after existing assets.

    Continue improving the quality of analysis in financial decisions, including offering options to the public during budget consultation.

  • Implement a targeted rate to discourage land banking and promote new housing.

    Participate in local government reforms and advocate for broadening of council revenue streams to reduce reliance on rates.

  • Support relevant sectors to attract business, talent and investment to Wellington and accelerate economic growth.

  • I am in favor of minimal rate increases to provide support fixed income and general ratepayers. This is what I am hearing on a daily basis.

    As a Chartered Accountant I am not in fear of taking on debt to fund revenue generating or infrastructural projects.

    I think council investments need to be focused on infrastructure. Do we need to own minority interests in commercial activities?

  • Quality spending of rates and prioritising expenditure, especially on infrastructure.

    Review council's investment to make sure the council is delivering what Wellingtonians want and need.

    Review council's fees and charges on public funded facilities, such as swimming pools and sports grounds.

  • Financial planning to prioritise funding for basic services and infrastructure before commitments are made on other projects.

    Provide more information to the public about rates and other revenue (who pays) and rates expenditure (where does it go).