Western Bay of Plenty District Council

Kaimai Ward
The Western Bay of Plenty 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 11 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Four councillors will be elected from the Kaimai 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 Western Bay of Plenty 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.

  • Aim to keep rates increases at low as possible, while maintaining service levels in the face of high inflation impacting upon core costs.

    Borrow responsibly for long-term priority infrastructure improvement. We need fit for purpose future assets without crippling levels of debt.

    Evaluate the sale of Barkes Corner to better serve the district's main centres more locally.

  • Pursue prudent financial controls on all matters; borrowing, spending, fees and charges etc to ensure fiscal responsibility.

    Maintain acceptable levels of service whilst acknowledging the current inflationary pressures on council and ratepayers.

    Use inter-generational debt financing responsibly to provide for future needs and growth.

  • Spread the cost of infrastructure over its useful life by borrowing, so that today's residents don't pay for the benefit of future residents.

    Ensure charges for council-provided services cover the cost of those services so that future residents are not saddled with unnecessary debt.

    Demand that the council itself operates as efficiently as possible to minimise the burden on current and future ratepayers.

  • Aim to keep rates increases at low as possible, while maintaining service levels in the face of high inflation impacting upon core costs.

    Borrow responsibly for long-term priority infrastructure improvement. We need fit for purpose future assets without crippling levels of debt.

    Evaluate the sale of Barkes Corner to better serve the district's main centres more locally.

  • Pursue prudent financial controls on all matters; borrowing, spending, fees and charges etc to ensure fiscal responsibility.

    Maintain acceptable levels of service whilst acknowledging the current inflationary pressures on council and ratepayers.

    Use inter-generational debt financing responsibly to provide for future needs and growth.

  • Spread the cost of infrastructure over its useful life by borrowing, so that today's residents don't pay for the benefit of future residents.

    Ensure charges for council-provided services cover the cost of those services so that future residents are not saddled with unnecessary debt.

    Demand that the council itself operates as efficiently as possible to minimise the burden on current and future ratepayers.