Rates Dashboard 2026

The 2026 Rates Dashboard compiles the average rates increase for each of the territorial and unitary councils across New Zealand, allowing ratepayers to compare their council with others. This year’s Rates Dashboard includes a “total cost increase” that takes into account the councils where Local Water Done Well water delivery plans reform come into effect on 1 July 2026.

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The average proposed rates increase for 2026/27 is 6.9 percent, compared to inflation this year of just 3.1 percent. Including the fourteen councils affected by Local Water Done Well this coming year, the average cost increase for ratepayers nationwide is 9.0 percent - nearly 3x inflation.

Methodology

Proposed rates increases were taken from each council's statements within their 2026/27 annual plans. Those councils marked (p) are still proposed increases, while those without have confirmed their rates increases for the year.

To calculate an estimate for water cost, we compiled data from councils’ 2025/26 Funding Impact Statements, including total rates revenue and revenue collected through drinking water, wastewater and stormwater rates.

We then divided these figures by the number of rating units (both residential and non-residential) to estimate the average rates bill per rating unit, the average water-related component, and the average non-water component of last year's rates bills. To estimate 2026/27 non-water rates, we applied each council’s forecast rates increase to the estimated 2025/26 non-water rates bill. 

We then added the average self-reported annual water charge reported in the council’s Water Services Delivery Plan to calculate the total expected cost to households.

Please note: in some cases the average charges per connection, as reported in the Water Services Delivery plan, may reflect a regional average rather than the average for an individual council.

We compared this total with the average 2025/26 rates bill to estimate the percentage change. This approach provides a consistent comparison across councils using publicly available information, although results are indicative only.

These estimates were calculated using the limited publicly available data that councils provide. We hope this will prompt councils to be forthcoming with their internal analysis of the costs facing ratepayers from next month.

*as more councils adopt their annual plans for 2026/27, this table will update. Those councils marked (p) for provisional are yet to adopt their annual plans. Please contact our Senior Policy Advisor (Local Government), Josh Van Veen (via [email protected]) for any updates or queries.