DID YOU KNOW

 Did you know that many government departments and public agencies in New Zealand do not pay general council rates?

Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 lists categories of non-rateable land. This includes certain land owned or occupied by organisations such as the Department of Conservation (DoC), the Ministry of Education, Health New Zealand, the Defence Force, and KiwiRail. Rating exemptions also apply to some churches, marae, Māori customary land, and unused Māori freehold land.

DID YOU KNOW?

 

·         In the year ended June 2025, the 14 members of the WDC received $1,129,000 in remuneration.

·         In the year ended June 2025, the WDC lost $6,988,000 on derivative contracts. It held $256 million worth of derivative contracts.

·         In the year ended June 2025, the Northland Events Centre (2021) Trust that manages the Semenoff Stadium received an annual operating grant (including rent concession) from ratepayers of $1,432,007. Weren’t we told this facility would be self-supporting? 

DID YOU KNOW?

Over the last 30 years, Northland has experienced a steady ageing of its population. The share of residents aged 65 and over has roughly doubled since the mid-1990s, from about 12% to 22% now. Projections suggested around 27% of Northland’s population could be over 65 by about 2031.

The statistics suggest what most know anecdotally: Northland has become a retirement destination. That’s important because an aging population places additional demand on medical and aged care facilities. Our hospital is already under severe pressure – a substantial increase in staffing and funding will be required in the future