Lower Taxes, Less Waste,
More Accountability

Championing Value For Money From Every Tax Dollar

Now that the new financial year has started, the Taxpayers' Union can reveal that the average council rates increase for 2025 is 8.39 percent. That compares to annual inflation of just 2.5 percent (to the March 2025 year).

Cumulatively, over the last three years, the average rates hike is an incredible 34.52 percent. Over the same timeframe, inflation has been just 13.7 percent.

Ironically, Stats NZ has cited council rate hikes as a key driver of inflation and the costs of living crisis. These figures show why we need to Cap Rates Now! Sign the petition here.

Council Mayor/Chair 2025 Increase 3-Year Cumulative Increase
Ashburton District Council Neil Brown 7.30% 27.12%
Auckland Council Wayne Brown 5.80% 20.90%
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Doug Leeder 3.00% 17.02%
Buller District Council Jamie Cleine 6.43% 30.26%
Carterton District Council Ron Mark 5.40% 28.46%
Central Hawke's Bay District Council Alex Walker 7.40% 42.90%
Central Otago District Council Tamah Alley 12.47% 47.95%
Chatham Islands Council Monique Croon 7.25% 17.81%
Christchurch City Council Phil Mauger 6.60% 24.25%
Clutha District Council Bryan Cadogan 16.59% 39.85%
Dunedin City Council Jules Radich 10.70% 38.53%
Environment Canterbury Regional Council Craig Pauling 5.80% 31.04%
Environment Southland Nicol Horrell 8.80% 37.13%
Far North District Council Moko Tepania 10.95% 23.80%
Gisborne District Council Rehette Stoltz 9.95% 30.45%
Gore District Council Ben Bell 8.82% 46.60%
Greater Wellington Regional Council Darren Ponter 9.72% 54.67%
Grey District Council Tania Gibson 13.72% 36.98%
Hamilton City Council Paula Southgate 15.50% 41.15%
Hastings District Council Sandra Hazlehurst 15.00% 48.76%
Hauraki District Council Toby Adams 8.40% 35.92%
Hawke's Bay Regional Council Hinewai Ormsby 9.90% 35.13%
Horizons Regional Council Rachel Keedwell 8.80% 29.55%
Horowhenua District Council Bernie Wanden 10.20% 38.43%
Hurunui District Council Marie Black 3.37% 23.31%
Hutt City Council Campbell Barry 12.60% 44.66%
Invercargill City Council Nobby Clark 7.11% 24.28%
Kaikoura District Council Craig Mackle 8.94% 31.25%
Kaipara District Council Craig Jepson 8.30% 23.79%
Kapiti Coast District Council Janet Holborow 6.90% 35.05%
Kawerau District Council Faylene Tunui 8.50% 31.72%
Mackenzie District Council Karen Morgan (Acting Mayor) 10.70% 39.92%
Manawatu District Council Helen Worboys 5.99% 21.37%
Marlborough District Council Nadine Taylor 8.61% 32.46%
Masterton District Council Gary Caffell 7.50% 25.12%
Matamata-Piako District Council Adrienne Wilcock 5.8% 39.29%
Napier City Council Kirsten Wise 8.90% 43.30%
Nelson City Council Nick Smith 6.50% 23.53%
New Plymouth District Council Neil Holdom 9.90% 37.73%
Northland Regional Council Geoff Crawford 3.54% 32.62%
Opotiki District Council David Moore 9.80% 41.95%
Otago Regional Council Gretchen Robertson 5.50% 45.76%
Otorohanga District Council Max Baxter 10.16% 28.61%
Palmerston North City Council Grant Smith 6.60% 24.88%
Porirua City Council Anita Baker 6.39% 33.45%
Queenstown-Lakes District Council Glyn Lewers 13.50% 50.23%
Rangitikei District Council Andy Watson 7.90% 30.08%
Rotorua Lakes Council Tania Tapsell 8.57% 31.61%
Ruapehu District Council Weston Kirton 9.00% 27.13%
Selwyn District Council Sam Broughton 14.20% 38.96%
South Taranaki District Council Phil Nixon 5.40% 25.52%
South Waikato District Council Gary Petley 8.90% 44.40%
South Wairarapa District Council Martin Connelly 4.30% 45.11%
Southland District Council Rob Scott 7.23% 31.15%
Stratford District Council Neil Volzke 6.90% 34.46%
Taranaki Regional Council Craig Williamson 12.90% 51.02%
Tararua District Council Tracey Collis 7.71% 37.97%
Tasman District Council Tim King 8.80% 31.24%
Taupo District Council David Trewavas 8.40% 27.85%
Tauranga City Council Mahé Drysdale 9.90% 35.98%
Thames-Coromandel District Council Len Salt 7.70% 36.06%
Timaru District Council Nigel Bowen 9.00% 39.26%
Upper Hutt City Council Wayne Guppy 15.78% 46.92%
Waikato District Council Jacqui Church 4.25% 27.15%
Waikato Regional Council Pamela Storey 5.70% 19.65%
Waimakariri District Council Dan Gordon 4.98% 22.00%
Waimate District Council Craig Rowley 9.20% 33.40%
Waipa District Council Susan O'Regan 15.50% 40.55%
Wairoa District Council Craig Little 5.20% 39.04%
Waitaki District Council Gary Kircher 9.79% 34.79%
Waitomo District Council John Robertson 2.91% 20.98%
Wellington City Council Tory Whanau 12% 47.03%
West Coast Regional Council Peter Haddock 12.00% 65.57%
Western Bay of Plenty District Council James Denyer 8.92% 32.44%
Westland District Council Helen Lash 13.20% 34.60%
Whakatane District Council Victor Luca 11.70% 40.66%
Whanganui District Council Andrew Tripe 2.20% 22.62%
Whangarei District Council Vince Cocurullo 9.70% 38.73%

This dashboard is correct as of 10 July 2025. Council are required to set rates for the new financial (1 July) year no later than 30 June, however some councils have had to make adjustments/fix errors after that date. Please contact [email protected] if you have more up to date information or spot an error.

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