Horowhenua District Council

Levin General Ward
The Horowhenua 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 12 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). five councillors will be elected from the Levin 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 Horowhenua 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.

  • Keep council on track for a balanced budget by 2027/28 and continue zero-based budgeting to drive efficiency and smart spending.

    Reduce spending and consider service level changes if needed to achieve further savings and financial sustainability.

    Minimise council debt by accelerating sale of non-core assets and ensuring capital spending delivers maximum community value.

  • Explore ways of leveraging current assets to create more income.

    Prioritise back to basics spending with focus on roads, water, paths and drains.

  • Ask Council staff for cost saving, duplication reduction and productivity opportunities that have not previously been identified.

    Scrutinise Council budgets, starting from a zero-budget approach.

  • Ensure spending delivers value without waste and follow good governance.

    Find smarter finances and alternative council income streams to protect households from rising rates and living costs and invest.

    Reduce debt but ensure fair fees and a realistic burden on ratepayers to protect them from rising living costs and unaffordable rates.

  • Limit ratepayer funding on non-core projects as already set in ten year plan.

    Set long-term rates at what ratepayers can afford rather than what council would like to spend, with a personal approach of saving rather than borrowing for purchases.

  • Keep council on track for a balanced budget by 2027/28 and continue zero-based budgeting to drive efficiency and smart spending.

    Reduce spending and consider service level changes if needed to achieve further savings and financial sustainability.

    Minimise council debt by accelerating sale of non-core assets and ensuring capital spending delivers maximum community value.

  • Explore ways of leveraging current assets to create more income.

    Prioritise back to basics spending with focus on roads, water, paths and drains.

  • Ask Council staff for cost saving, duplication reduction and productivity opportunities that have not previously been identified.

    Scrutinise Council budgets, starting from a zero-budget approach.

  • Ensure spending delivers value without waste and follow good governance.

    Find smarter finances and alternative council income streams to protect households from rising rates and living costs and invest.

    Reduce debt but ensure fair fees and a realistic burden on ratepayers to protect them from rising living costs and unaffordable rates.

  • Limit ratepayer funding on non-core projects as already set in ten year plan.

    Set long-term rates at what ratepayers can afford rather than what council would like to spend, with a personal approach of saving rather than borrowing for purchases.