Napier City Council

Ahuriri General Ward
The Napier City 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 city). three councillors will be elected from the Ahuriri 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 Napier City 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.

  • Explore different and smarter ways to finance projects.

    Work hard at keeping rate increases in line with standard of living cost increases.

  • Conduct thorough review of current council investments with a view to maximising return to offset future rate rises.

    Ensure fees and charges reflect true council costs and do not act as a tax on the community or generate excess revenue beyond service delivery.

    Reexamine all future projected expenditure and discontinue projects that do not deliver core services to the community.

  • Reinvest AIM returns into core services – water, infrastructure and transportation – rather than new bureaucracy.

    Run council finances prudently, balancing affordability today with smart investments that benefit future generations.

    Use debt strategically for essential infrastructure that serves generations, not short-term spending.

  • Advocate for exiting activities that are losing too much ratepayer money including some of our commercial facilities.

    Speak up and vote against costly projects that are too niche and do not benefit the majority and be careful with spending.

    Support user-pays where possible so the fees and charges sit with the people who use the particular utility or service.

  • Explore different and smarter ways to finance projects.

    Work hard at keeping rate increases in line with standard of living cost increases.

  • Conduct thorough review of current council investments with a view to maximising return to offset future rate rises.

    Ensure fees and charges reflect true council costs and do not act as a tax on the community or generate excess revenue beyond service delivery.

    Reexamine all future projected expenditure and discontinue projects that do not deliver core services to the community.

  • Reinvest AIM returns into core services – water, infrastructure and transportation – rather than new bureaucracy.

    Run council finances prudently, balancing affordability today with smart investments that benefit future generations.

    Use debt strategically for essential infrastructure that serves generations, not short-term spending.

  • Advocate for exiting activities that are losing too much ratepayer money including some of our commercial facilities.

    Speak up and vote against costly projects that are too niche and do not benefit the majority and be careful with spending.

    Support user-pays where possible so the fees and charges sit with the people who use the particular utility or service.