2026 Draft Annual Plan opens for submissions
Waimakariri District Council media release: 18th March 2026
Waimakariri District Council’s Draft Annual Plan opens for public consultation this Thursday, with a proposed 4.91% rates increase.
Mayor Dan Gordon says the budget shows restraint and reflects a careful, prudent approach that balances affordability for households with the need to maintain services the community relies on.
“Every year we go through the budget line by line, and this year was no different,” Mayor Gordon says.
“This Annual Plan sticks closely to what we signalled in year three of our Long Term Plan. We’ve cut our cloth where we can, without compromising the services people expect, and we’ve scaled back our capital programme to a level that is realistic, achievable and, importantly, affordable.”
Within the overall figure, the general average rate increase for most ratepayers across the district is 2.7 percent.
The Annual Plan sets out Council’s work programme and key projects for the final year of the current Long Term Plan. While no major changes are proposed, the consultation provides an opportunity to update the community on developments in the local government sector and seek feedback on key areas.
Topics open for comment include:
- Changes proposed to local government.
- Local Water Done Well.
- The capital programme proposed for 2026/27.
- Rangiora Eastern Link that addresses traffic congestion and allows for further growth.
Have your say on the 2026 Draft Annual Plan for the Waimakariri District. The consultation on the Annual Plan will run from 20th March to 20th April 2026.
“This is a low-key Annual Plan,” Mayor Gordon says. “It’s largely about responding to changes in the operating environment rather than introducing new initiatives. We want to keep people informed about what’s changing around us and hear their views.”
A series of drop-in sessions will be held around the district, giving residents the chance to speak directly with Council staff and elected members:
- Rangiora: Thursday 19th March at the Rangiora Council Chambers (5 to 7pm)
- Kaiapoi: Wednesday 25 March at the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre (5 to 7pm).
- Woodend: Wednesday 8th April at the Woodend Community Centre (5 to 7pm).
- Oxford: Saturday 11th April at the A&P Show (all day).
- Pegasus: Community Cuppa on Wednesday 15th April (10am to noon).
Mayor Gordon also acknowledged the work of Council staff throughout the budgeting process.
“Our staff understand the pressure households are under and the expectation that we take a prudent, no-frills approach,” he says. “Preparing a budget like this is a big piece of work, and they’ve done it extremely well.”