Huge NRC rate increases , +32.9%

A sitting councillor seeking re-election on the Northland Regional Council has dismissed claims of high rate increases.

Yet again, facts contradict the election rhetoric.

Here are the NRC's annual rate increases in each of the last four years:

  • 3.54% in the year ended 30 June  2026
  • 16.18% in 2025  
  • 10.48% in 2024
  • 13.89% in 2023 (resolved by the previous council)

These figures are taken from NRC press releases (see links below).

If we take the three annual rate increases declared by the current council, then the cumulative rate increase over their term in office is 32.9%!

If we take the three-year increase from 2023 to 2025, then the cumulative increase is 46.2%!

This is what Chair Tui Shortland said about the 10.48% rate increase for 2024

"The newly-approved Annual Plan would allow for:

Te Tiriti capacity and capability building. Two Māori relationships team officers. Consents officer Environmental monitoring officer. Funding to move Enviroschools facilitators from contractors to employees. A river engineer (asset management). Funding for earth observation data to support compliance work. Enhanced remuneration and a recruitment officer to help attract and retain the right skills. Increased audit fees. Service desk support officer and technology upgrades for remote meetings. Increased non-elected member payment to attract and retain the right hapū and iwi expertise. "


 REFERENCES

1. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2024/may/nrc-to-continue-emergency-services-funding/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 2. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2023/june/annual-plan-adopted/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

3. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2022/march/have-your-say-on-annual-plan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

4. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2025/june/354-rates-rise-adopted/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

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