South Wairarapa District Council

Featherston General Ward
The South Wairarapa 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 ten councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). three councillors will be elected from the Featherston 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 South Wairarapa 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.

  • Develop infrastructure that provides capacity for growth, which in turn grows rates income.

    Plan for long-term debt that spreads repayment over the life of services and does not burden current ratepayers.

    Set priorities in the LTP that focus on resilient infrastructure first, core services and a flattened rates increase over time.

  • Develop infrastructure that provides capacity for growth, which in turn grows rates income.

    Plan for long-term debt that spreads repayment over the life of services and does not burden current ratepayers.

    Set priorities in the LTP that focus on resilient infrastructure first, core services and a flattened rates increase over time.