29 June 2026
At its meeting on 25 June, Gisborne District Council adopted its Annual Plan for 2026/27, confirming the final year of its Three-Year Recovery Plan developed following Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Annual Plan keeps Council’s work programme within the revenue, debt and delivery limits set through the 2024–2027 Three-Year Plan, which was consulted on with the community and adopted by Council in 2024.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz says the plan continues Council’s focus on essential recovery work, core services and long-term resilience for Tairāwhiti.
“We know people are doing it tough and every rates increase is felt by households and businesses,” says Mayor Stoltz.
“Uncontrollable costs have also added nearly $6m in additional cost to our budget. Staff have done a line-by-line review and revised budgets down by $2.2million to keep the rates increase within the limits we set in the Three-Year Plan.
“This plan is clearly focussed on delivering the basics and what we said we would do. A large part of the spending is funded by Government and is tied to essential recovery work across roads, bridges, water infrastructure and flood protection.
“These increases complete the work we said was needed after Cyclone Gabrielle to support our region’s recovery and strengthen the infrastructure our communities rely on.”
The Annual Plan includes total capital expenditure of $172 million, with $156 million – or 91% of the capital programme, allocated to core infrastructure including water services, solid waste and roading.
Key work in the Plan includes continued investment in roads, bridges, water infrastructure, flood protection, land drainage, flood modelling, township improvements and strategic environmental planning.
The rates increase for 2026/27 is 8.49%, plus growth. This remains under the 11.4% rates cap and consistent with Year 3 of the Three-Year Plan, despite increased depreciation and some operational costs.
Across the district, more than 83% of properties will have a rates increase of $400 or less.
For rural properties around 5,400 increases are less than $150, mostly affecting properties without reticulated services. Around 2,700 of those properties are in the East Coast area.
In Gisborne city the average increase for 11,446 properties is $351 plus GST. This is mainly driven by wastewater, water supply, stormwater and the Uniform Annual General Charge.
Council’s forecast external debt for 2026/27 is $245 million or 161% of total revenue. This remains within Council’s financial strategy limit of 175%.
Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann says the plan remains firmly focused on the core services and infrastructure the community relies on every day.
“This final year of the Three-Year Recovery Plan is about staying the course and delivering on the commitments we have made,” says Ms Thatcher Swann.
“Our priority is ensuring roads, water, wastewater, stormwater and other essential public infrastructure remain safe, reliable and resilient, while continuing the recovery work our region still needs.
“People rightly expect Council to provide the services that underpin everyday life and support our communities through future weather events. This plan maintains that focus while keeping within the financial parameters already set through the Three-Year Plan.
“We have worked hard to manage costs, prioritise investment and ensure every dollar is directed towards the services and infrastructure that matter most to our communities.”
Key projects and priorities in the 2026/27 Annual Plan include:
- Core infrastructure: $156 million allocated to infrastructure, including water services, solid waste and roading.
- Flood modelling: updated modelling to include hazards such as sediment, erosion and river course changes, so future flood protection designs are robust.
- Land drainage: stream widening projects, particularly on the Taruheru River, to increase capacity.
- Township improvements: footpath upgrades in Matawai and Ruatoria, and new pedestrian safety crossings in Tikitiki, Te Araroa, Rangitukia and Wharekahika.
- Strategic and environmental planning: continued development of regional plans, climate response work and environmental programmes in partnership with tangata whenua and local communities.