Council updates  |  Yesterday

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It’s time to have your say on Christchurch City Council’s plans for the coming year.

The Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 is now open for feedback. It outlines everything the Council will deliver over the coming financial year – the services, projects, and how it will pay for them, as well as proposed savings. "

When I was first elected Mayor in 2022, I was committed to maintaining the positive momentum in our city, and to keeping a level-headed view of what we can actually afford and achieve,” says Mayor Phil Mauger.

“Looking out for the average household has been top of mind for me and the other councillors, and we’ve put that lens over every spending decision we’ve made in this year’s Draft Annual Plan.  

“This has kept this year’s proposed rates increase as low as possible without compromising the services we provide today or pushing things out too far in the future.

“We think we’ve charted a really positive course, but we want to hear from as many people as possible via this consultation process. It’s our job to listen to every piece of feedback before we lock in our plans in June.”

The Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 proposes a rates increase of 7.4% for the average household, or $6.05 a week.  

The plan also proposes:  

  • $599 million of investment into Council infrastructure and facilities.  
  • $771 million for delivering the day-to-day services the Council provides.  
  • $314 million in borrowing for the capital programme – $38 million lower than planned in the Long Term Plan.  
  • Disposing of a number of properties owned by the Council that are no longer required for their original purpose.
  • An overall average rates increase across all property types of 7.96%. This is lower than what was projected during the 2025/26 Annual Plan, which forecasted an increase of 10.52% in 2026/27.
  • A rates increase for the average business property of 8.7%, as well as a lower business differential.
  • A rates increase for the average remote rural property of 8.0%.  

The Council is also asking for feedback on options to reduce rates, including:

  • Pausing the planned rates increases for the Climate Resilience Fund and the Environmental Partnerships Fund.
  • Reducing the money available in the Council’s contestable community grant funding schemes to lower the rates increase.
  • The Council is also looking for feedback on potentially providing financial support to help restore four ‘iconic’ buildings – Canterbury Museum, Canterbury Provincial Chambers, Christ Church Cathedral and Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.

The Draft Annual Plan is out for feedback until midnight on Friday 27 March. Visit letstalk.ccc.govt.nz for more information.