Mayor of Whakatāne

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 Whakatāne 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.

  • Focus on agreed priorities – bake the cake before icing it.

    Prioritise investments that have environmental and economic benefits eg energy management.

    Focus on getting better returns from councils investment portfolio (Harbour Fund assets).

  • Advocate strongly for more central government funding, especially to bridge the infrastructure deficit.

    Organise think tanks to come up with novel funding solutions.

    Provide seed funding to startup enterprises and encourage new business opportunities that provide a return.

  • Customise ratepayer pricing and expenditure via direct input. Surveys may work, personalised phone calls and home visits may be useful too.

    Create an application of rates remittance for non-Māori, in the same way that Māori are enabled.

  • Focus on agreed priorities – bake the cake before icing it.

    Prioritise investments that have environmental and economic benefits eg energy management.

    Focus on getting better returns from councils investment portfolio (Harbour Fund assets).

  • Advocate strongly for more central government funding, especially to bridge the infrastructure deficit.

    Organise think tanks to come up with novel funding solutions.

    Provide seed funding to startup enterprises and encourage new business opportunities that provide a return.

  • Customise ratepayer pricing and expenditure via direct input. Surveys may work, personalised phone calls and home visits may be useful too.

    Create an application of rates remittance for non-Māori, in the same way that Māori are enabled.