Taxpayers' Union Launches 2026 Ratepayers' Report for Bay of Plenty Councils 

Bay of Plenty averages third highest debt per household in the country; Tauranga City Council’s chief among them. 

Tauranga City Council claims the highest debt levels per household in Bay of Plenty – according to the 2026 Ratepayers’ Report – the Taxpayers' Union’s local government league tables, released today and available at RatepayersReport.nz.  

 Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Josh Van Veen, said: 
 
 

“Bay of Plenty ratepayers are facing a double hit of rising rates and staggering debt, with the region having on average, the third highest debt per household in the country. Tauranga City Council leads the region with debt per household averaging $22,857.” 

“Across the region, average residential rates range from $3,130 in Kawerau to $4,534 in Tauranga, a gap of more than $1,400 – a significant difference for households already under pressure from the cost of living.” 

“Kawerau District Council raises serious concerns around efficiency. With staffing costs reaching $2,567 per household, 28 full-time staff per 1,000 households, and nearly a third of staff in management or communications roles, ratepayers are right to question whether they’re getting value for money.” 

“Rotorua Lakes Council also stands out for its heavy reliance on consultants and contractors, spending up to $1,621 per household. A figure that suggests councils are increasingly outsourcing, rather than delivering services efficiently in-house.” 

“With high debt, growing bureaucracy, and significant variation in rates across the region, Bay of Plenty ratepayers may well ask what exactly they are getting in return. The Taxpayers' Union is calling on councils to rein in spending, focus on delivering core services efficiently, and implementing a rates cap 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. 

Bay of Plenty Councils:

• Bay of Plenty Regional Council 

• Kawerau District Council 

• Ōpōtiki District Council 

• Rotorua Lakes Council 

• Tauranga City Council 

• Western Bay of Plenty District Council 

• Whakatāne District Council 

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

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