Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Wellington Councils

Four Wellington councils rank in the highest ten residential rates; Porirua and Wellington City claim top two spots. 

Councils in the Wellington region are leaving ratepayers with some of the most unaffordable rates in the country, as revealed by the Taxpayers’ Union’s 2026 Ratepayers’ Report. The local government league tables reveal that ratepayers in Porirua and Wellington City lead the pack in rates bills nationwide, and Carterton District and South Wairarapa District Councils also feature in the top ten. 

 Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 

“Of the ten councils with the highest average residential rates, four are from Wellington; including the top two. At $5,591 Porirua City Council claims the largest average rates bill in the country, followed closely by Wellington City Council at $5,094. Carterton District Council ($4,771) and South Wairarapa District Council ($4,494) also rank. Masterton District Council is the lowest in the region, with residential rates averaging $3,378.” 

“With the highest staffing costs per household ($2,044), and consultant and contracting costs per household ($5,668), Porirua City Council is severely letting down its ratepayers. With 32 percent of their staff working in management or communications, Porirua’s high rates do not justify their high staffing costs, instead suggesting at a large level of bloated bureaucracy.” 

“The region also claims some of the worst spenders on payments to lobby groups. Hutt City Council ($505,226), Wellington City Council ($347,799), and Greater Wellington Regional Council ($339,286) all rank among the top ten highest payments. These are voluntary payments to groups such as Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and Taituara – Local Government Professionals Aotearoa.” 

“With some of the highest rates in the country, ratepayers from the Wellington region may wish to question whether their rates feel valued. With failing water systems, lobby group overspending, and bloated bureaucracies, the Taxpayers' Union urges the region to cap rates now.” 

Prior to publication, every council were provided their figures for error checking, with requested corrections made. We encourage ratepayers to compare their council for themselves at RatepayersReport.nz. 

Wellington Councils: 

• Carterton District Council 

• Greater Wellington Regional Council 

• Hutt City Council 

• Kapiti Coast District Council 

• Masterton District Council 

• Porirua City Council 

• South Wairarapa District Council 

• Upper Hutt City Council 

• Wellington City Council 

Regional media releases, including relevant notable findings, can be found here.

Frequently asked questions, including on methodology, can be found here.