Photo: Warwick Smith / LDRTararua residents can expect a far lesser rates increase than predicted from their council's 2026/27 Annual Budget. Bringing the average rates increase down from 11.84 percent to 4.83 percent hadn't "happened by accident", Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore said. Council did not undergo formal consultation on this year's budget, with Gilmore saying such an approach reflected a "conscious decision" from council to focus on financial discipline. The 4.83 percent figure was an average increase and individual rates and property factors meant some ratepayers would see their total higher or lower than this figure. The community was encouraged to engage early in the council's upcoming talks on its Long Term Plan (LTP).

Source: Stuff April 01, 2026 02:50 UTC