7th February UPDATE

Following the Annual Plan Briefing held at Council on Thursday  it looks like the previously signalled 7% rates increase is now off the table. However, the Council’s current “default” position is a 6.4% average rates rise next year. We are also aware that this could be reduced to around 5.7% if a further package of savings is agreed by 12 March.

The critical question is whether councillors are prepared to do the hard work required to get there — or whether they will simply settle for a higher increase because it is the path of least resistance.

Many councillors campaigned on concern about unsustainable rates increases and the cost-of-living pressures facing households. This is the moment when those commitments are tested. Choosing 6.4% over 5.7% would not be unavoidable — it would be a conscious decision.

And even at 5.7%, the increase is still too high. After years of large compounding rises, many Kāpiti families are already stretched to breaking point. For them, “only” a 5.7% increase still means real hardship.

Yes, there are tough decisions to be made. But that is exactly what councillors were elected to do. Defaulting to 6.4% would mean avoiding those decisions — and leaving ratepayers to carry the burden instead.

We will be reminding councillors of the promises they made.  We urge you to do the same: contact your local councillor and ask them directly where they stand by clicking on the link below (we have provided you with some suggested text – feel free to edit as you wish) and please send this message to your friends and neighbours asking them to do the same.

Because this time, what Councillors do and how they vote will speak louder than their campaign words.