Whangārei District Council

Hikurangi-Coastal General Ward
The Whangārei 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 13 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Two councillors will be elected from the Hikurangi-Coastal 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 Whangārei 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.

  • Form a finance committee with limited member numbers to ensure members have the required financial skills required.

    Review of current commercial assets and investigate the ability to put the current assets into a council-controlled organisation similar to the model Far North District Council has with Far North Holdings.

    Review all current expenditure to ensure expenditure is required, and current budget expectations are met.

  • Lobby central government for housing, infrastructure and development.

    Ensure no carry forwards of capital projects.

    Cap on council debt.

  • Increase development contributions for greenfield developments on outskirts (urban sprawl), and reduce for infill and brownfield sites.

    Review roading contracts to make sure good quality of workmanship is ensured and that contracts have deliverables and required standards.

    Start to develop a long term fund that will lower the fiscal impact related to the effects of climate change.

  • Form a finance committee with limited member numbers to ensure members have the required financial skills required.

    Review of current commercial assets and investigate the ability to put the current assets into a council-controlled organisation similar to the model Far North District Council has with Far North Holdings.

    Review all current expenditure to ensure expenditure is required, and current budget expectations are met.

  • Lobby central government for housing, infrastructure and development.

    Ensure no carry forwards of capital projects.

    Cap on council debt.

  • Increase development contributions for greenfield developments on outskirts (urban sprawl), and reduce for infill and brownfield sites.

    Review roading contracts to make sure good quality of workmanship is ensured and that contracts have deliverables and required standards.

    Start to develop a long term fund that will lower the fiscal impact related to the effects of climate change.