Whangārei District Council

Whangārei Urban 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). Five councillors will be elected from the Whangārei Urban 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.

  • Apply new innovative uses of technology and investments to create more income streams and lessen the burden on ratepayers.

    Manage council debt appropriately so that the debt is working to grow the investment profile of our district and pay itself off.

    Investigate the need to have a financial standing committee to assist councillors in financial management and planning in bigger projects.

  • Be more transparent and accountable around council spending and set up a financial team who will keep a check on spending.

    Set up a plan to pay back some of the council debt, stop spending on feel-good projects and start spending on infrastructure that needs doing.

    Stop rates increases for a two-year period to give something back to ratepayers and be open about what council is spending their money on.

  • Hold council debt to a reasonable level.

    Review commercial rates, fees and charges.

    Ensure council has a competent finance committee.

  • Reduce council debt, which is spiralling.

    Hold rates at an affordable level.

  • Support exploring new levels of dog fees as we all benefit from the services available, and responsible owners carry the burden.

    Develop a rate for which permanent vehicle dwellers may contribute to the district to support a space and improved facilities.

    Support equitable rates levels to ensure ability to pay the charge to ensure service levels are provided and improved.

  • Revise the council's department to come up with ideas on how we can have better control over our council's finances.

    Rethink our financial management so we can put our money towards things that matter.

    Rethink our rate cost to make it more desirable for development of houses and businesses.

  • Work strenuously to keep rates increases below inflation by contributions from new activities to the district.

    Explore best practice around the world and trial some successful innovative models – bring creative cost-effective solutions.

    Innovative debt-reduction/income generation schemes – whilst maintaining excellent levels-of-service. He tangata. He tangata.

  • Financial management. Introduce a financial budget and guidelines as a profit bonus interest gain system. Released as an on-time bonus.

    Fees and charges. Business owners reward incentives long stay lease on-premises or parking packages. So long-term income flow for council.

    Council investments. Keep present investments of land and buildings, ownership under council on both the residents, charge fee per event.

  • Maintain reasonable levels of rates.

    Review levels of debt in relation to recent and proposed changes in local government.

    Invest in expansion of pensioner housing.

  • Apply new innovative uses of technology and investments to create more income streams and lessen the burden on ratepayers.

    Manage council debt appropriately so that the debt is working to grow the investment profile of our district and pay itself off.

    Investigate the need to have a financial standing committee to assist councillors in financial management and planning in bigger projects.

  • Be more transparent and accountable around council spending and set up a financial team who will keep a check on spending.

    Set up a plan to pay back some of the council debt, stop spending on feel-good projects and start spending on infrastructure that needs doing.

    Stop rates increases for a two-year period to give something back to ratepayers and be open about what council is spending their money on.

  • Hold council debt to a reasonable level.

    Review commercial rates, fees and charges.

    Ensure council has a competent finance committee.

  • Reduce council debt, which is spiralling.

    Hold rates at an affordable level.

  • Support exploring new levels of dog fees as we all benefit from the services available, and responsible owners carry the burden.

    Develop a rate for which permanent vehicle dwellers may contribute to the district to support a space and improved facilities.

    Support equitable rates levels to ensure ability to pay the charge to ensure service levels are provided and improved.

  • Revise the council's department to come up with ideas on how we can have better control over our council's finances.

    Rethink our financial management so we can put our money towards things that matter.

    Rethink our rate cost to make it more desirable for development of houses and businesses.

  • Work strenuously to keep rates increases below inflation by contributions from new activities to the district.

    Explore best practice around the world and trial some successful innovative models – bring creative cost-effective solutions.

    Innovative debt-reduction/income generation schemes – whilst maintaining excellent levels-of-service. He tangata. He tangata.

  • Financial management. Introduce a financial budget and guidelines as a profit bonus interest gain system. Released as an on-time bonus.

    Fees and charges. Business owners reward incentives long stay lease on-premises or parking packages. So long-term income flow for council.

    Council investments. Keep present investments of land and buildings, ownership under council on both the residents, charge fee per event.

  • Maintain reasonable levels of rates.

    Review levels of debt in relation to recent and proposed changes in local government.

    Invest in expansion of pensioner housing.