Taxpayers' Union Launches 2025 Ratepayers' Report for Wellington Councils   

The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has today published the 2025 edition of the Ratepayers' Report, available at RatepayersReport.nz. 

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson, Sam Warren, said: 
 
“The Ratepayers’ Report allows Kiwis to easily compare their local council’s performance and financial position for 2023/24 against others. The report provides transparency for ratepayers, especially important this year as we head into the local government elections.” 

“Wellington region ratepayers are facing some of the steepest bills in the country. Porirua tops the national charts with average residential rates of $4,745 per household, while Carterton ($4,664 per household), South Wairarapa ($4,062 per household) and Wellington City ($4,130 per household) all sit in the top ten. Debt levels are also a tale of two regions – city households in Wellington and Porirua owe $22,121 and $15,979 each, per household, compared to just $5,000–$6,500 in the Wairarapa districts. 

“Staffing differences are equally stark, with Wellington City employing 837 six-figure staff and Greater Wellington 424, while Carterton and South Wairarapa have only 15 and 16, respectively.” 

“Ratepayers in Wellington are paying some of the highest rates in New Zealand, yet staffing levels suggest bloated bureaucracies compared to smaller districts. Residents should be asking whether they are seeing value for this spending.” 

“Ratepayers can compare their councils for themselves at RatepayersReport.nz.”