Kapiti households are already stretched to breaking point — rising living costs, a worsening fuel crisis, and rates up over 35% in recent years.

Now, Council is planning to pile on even more.

We’ve sent an open letter to Council calling for an urgent rethink of the proposed 2026/27 rates increase. Ratepayers are cutting back, making sacrifices, and doing everything they can to stay afloat — it’s time Council did the same.

Read the letter, share it widely, and tell Councillors: enough is enough.

Our letter to council can be found HERE along with our article in the Kapiti news published today.

The Mayor’s response to our open letter is shown below but we remain hopeful the full Council will take a more considered, community-focused approach — because if all Councillors are as tone deaf to the real pressures facing ratepayers as this initial response suggests, that should concern every household in Kapiti.

It’s time to listen.

“Kia ora Chris

Thanks for your letter. We are still not presently intending to consult on the Annual Plan, but we are aware that the situation with the fuel crisis and we are ready to make amendments and arrangements if necessary. We are already planning the Long-term Plan engagement and process, and look forward to discussions with your group as we start our pre-engagement in the coming months.

Mayor Janet Holborow”