In November we provided the newly elected Kāpiti Coast District Council with a comprehensive briefing on how the district could move toward more affordable rates, better financial management, and genuine community engagement.
The briefing called for:
Rates Affordability: Capping rates at no more than 5% of median household income, with average annual increases held to 3% or less. CRK outlined nine practical cost-control measures to help achieve this. Real Community Engagement: Moving away from tokenistic, last-minute consultation. CRK recommended seven new ways to get earlier engagement, full information sharing, and proper feedback loops. Legal Obligations: Reinforcing the need for Council to meet the consultation and decision-making standards required under the Local Government Act — openness, accessibility, transparency, and meaningful public input.
We have also followed up with councillors, inviting them to meet the team, discuss the briefing in more depth, ask questions, and explore how CRK can support them in delivering the lower-rates pathway voters clearly asked for during the election.
Below is a copy of a summary and the full briefing as it relates to financial management for affordable rates:
Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti 