Draft Annual Plan 2026/2027 Open for Submissions

Westland District Council is seeking community feedback on the Draft Annual Plan 2026/2027.

The Annual Plan sets out Council’s proposed budget, services, and priorities for the coming year. It reflects a review of Year 2 of the Long Term Plan 2025–2034 in response to rising costs and changing conditions.

Key information

•    Consultation open: 10 April to 10 May 2026
•    Proposed average rates increase 6%
•    Anyone can make a submission
•    Final decisions will be made in June 2026

What’s being proposed

The Draft Annual Plan includes a number of proposed changes for community feedback. These are intended to balance affordability, service delivery, and long-term sustainability.

Proposals include:
•    A proposed average rates increase of 6%
•    Changes to some services and operating hours
•    A review of fees and charges
•    Proposed changes to the way some reserves and depreciation funding are used
•    A number of options where Council is seeking community feedback before making final decisions

Key consultation topics

We are seeking feedback on the following proposals:
•    Remittance of rate penalties
•    Pool operating hours
•    Museum operating hours
•    Library operating hours
•    isite operating hours
•    Library reserves
•    Heritage Park depreciation
•    Review of fees and charges

Remittance of Rates Penalties

Council sends rate demands to all ratepayers on a quarterly basis. The demand due dates are 3 months after the
demand is issued.

Once the three-month period has elapsed the bill is considered overdue. Letters are then issues to those ratepayers
who have not paid their bill and a penalty of 10% of the overdue amount it applied to the outstanding balance.

If the ratepayer settles the bill within 7 days of receipt of the notice Council will remit (refund) the 10% charge.
Council has the option to stop the refund process, once the bill is overdue the charge will remain on the account and
will need to be paid to bring the account back up to date.

Option 1: Council no longer remits (refunds) interest charges on overdue rate demands.
Once interest has been charged on an overdue rate demand the charge would stand. This would increase Council revenue from those ratepayers who do not pay their rates demands on time. The overall average decrease in rates would be 0.29%.

Option 2: Council continues to remit (refund) penalties where the rate payer pays withing 7 days of the overdue notice.
This is how Council currently operates and there would be on increase in revenue. There would be no overall change to rates.

Option 1 is the preferred option. This option provides a more consistent and transparent approach to the application of penalties on overdue rates, reinforces the importance of timely payment, and reduces administrative processes associated with remitting charges. It also generates additional revenue from those ratepayers who do not pay on time, enabling a modest reduction in rates across the wider community.

Changes to Pool Operating Hours

Council currently operates the Hokitika Pool across both summer and winter periods, with a combination of public
access and programmed use.

Summer operating hours (October to March) are Monday to Friday 6.00am to 6.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and
public holidays 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Winter operating hours (April to September) are Monday to Friday 6.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public
holidays 9.00am to 5.00pm.

In addition to general public use, the pool is also used by organised groups outside standard closing times. Swim Club
operates on Sundays from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, Swim School operates Tuesday to Friday between 3.30pm and 5.30pm,
and Aqua classes operate on Thursdays between 5.15pm and 6.15pm.

This results in the pool remaining open beyond standard operating hours and requires additional staffing time to
support these activities.

Option 1: All pool users operate within standard opening hours

Under this option, all users would be required to vacate the facility at closing time, rather than finishing activities at that time. Programmed use outside of normal operating hours would cease. This would reduce staffing requirements and improve alignment between operating hours and resourcing. The estimated saving is $6,500, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.02%. Savings are expected to be higher in practice, as unbudgeted staff time associated with extended hours would also be reduced.

Option 2: Council continues to allow use of the pool outside standard operating hours.

This reflects the current operating model, where user groups can operate beyond closing times. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 1 is the preferred option. This would provide a more sustainable and consistent operating model, reduces unplanned staffing costs, and delivers a modest reduction in rates while maintaining public access to the facility.

Changes to Museum Operating Hours

Council currently operates the Hokitika Museum on a consistent schedule across both summer and winter periods.

Summer operating hours (October to March) are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and
public holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Winter operating hours (April to September) are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and
public holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm.

This provides a seven-day service year-round, with consistent opening hours regardless of seasonal demand.

Option 1: Reduce operating hours to better align with seasonal visitor demand.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

• Summer: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
  10.00am to 3.00pm
• Winter: Saturday 10.00am to 3.00pm
• Winter: Closed Sunday and Monday

Weekday operating hours would remain unchanged.

This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining access during peak periods. The estimated saving is $49,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.18%.

Option 2: Further reduce operating hours to prioritise cost savings.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

• Summer: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
  10.00am to 2.00pm
• Winter: Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Winter: Closed Sunday and Monday

Weekday operating hours would remain unchanged.

This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining access during peak periods. The estimated saving is $59,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.21%.

Option 3: Council continues with the current operating hours.

This reflects the existing model, with the museum open seven days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm year-round. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 2 is the preferred option. This option improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, and delivers a modest reduction in rates while maintaining a consistent level of access during key visitor periods.

Changes to Library Operating Hours

Council currently operates the Hokitika Library on a consistent schedule across both summer and winter periods.

Operating hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm, and Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm. The library is closed on Sundays.

This provides a six-day service with extended weekday and weekend access.

Option 1: Reduce operating hours to better align with usage and operating costs.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

• Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
• Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Closed Sunday

This represents a 30-minute reduction in weekday hours and a two-hour reduction on Saturdays. This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining access across six days of the week. The estimated saving is $39,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.14%.

Option 2: Further reduce operating hours to prioritise cost savings.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

• Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
• Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm
• Closed Sunday

This represents a 30-minute reduction in weekday hours and a three-hour reduction on Saturdays. This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining access across six days of the week. The estimated saving is $48,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.17%.

Option 3: Council continues with the current operating hours.

This reflects the existing model, with weekday hours to 5.30pm and Saturday hours to 4.00pm. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 2 is the preferred option. This option improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, and delivers
a modest reduction in rates while maintaining a consistent level of access to library services.

Changes to iSite Operating Hours

Council currently operates the Hokitika isite across both summer and winter periods, with variations in weekend and public holiday hours.

Summer operating hours (October to March) are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Winter operating hours (April to September) are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10.00am to 2.00pm.

This provides a seven-day service during summer and a reduced weekend service during winter.

Option 1: Reduce operating hours to better align with demand and operating costs.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

• Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
• Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm (year-round)
• Winter: Closed Sundays

This represents a 30-minute reduction in weekday hours, a two-hour reduction on Saturdays during summer, and the removal of Sunday opening during winter. This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining core visitor servicing during peak periods. The estimated saving is $32,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.12%.

Option 2: Further reduce operating hours to prioritise cost savings.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

• Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm (year-round)
• Winter: Closed Sundays

This represents a 1-hour reduction in weekday hours, a three-hour reduction on Saturdays during summer, and the removal of Sunday opening during winter. This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining core visitor servicing during peak periods. The estimated saving is $52,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.19%.

Option 3: Council continues with the current operating hours

This reflects the existing model, with extended summer weekend hours and year-round weekday coverage to 5.00pm. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 2 is the preferred option. This option improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, and delivers a modest reduction in rates while maintaining a consistent level of access to visitor services.

Library Reserves

Council currently maintains a ringfenced reserve for the Hokitika Library to fund capital expenditure.

This reserve is used to support both capital works to the library building and the renewal of library collections.

The reserve is expected to have a balance of approximately $458,000 at the end of the current financial year.

Under the current approach, funded depreciation of $86,000 per annum is allocated to this reserve to ensure it is
maintained over time.

Forecast expenditure from the reserve for the next financial year is up to $60,000.

Option 1: Do not fund depreciation for the library reserve in the next financial year.

Under this option, no additional funding would be added to the reserve through depreciation. Instead, existing reserves  would be drawn down to meet forecast capital expenditure requirements. This reflects the current strength of the reserve and its ability to support planned expenditure in the short term. The estimated saving is $86,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.31%.

Option 2: Continue to fund depreciation to the library reserve.

This reflects the current approach, where the reserve is topped up annually to maintain funding for future capital works and renewals. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 1 is the preferred option. This option makes use of existing reserves to meet planned expenditure, reduces short-term cost pressures, and delivers a reduction in rates while maintaining the ability to fund anticipated capital needs.

Heritage Park

When the Heritage Park erects new buildings, these are vested to Council (they are gifted to Council and become Council assets). Council must therefore depreciate these buildings (account for the ware and tare on the building and reduce their value.

Council has the option to either fund this depreciation, that is to charge rates for the value of the depreciation and set these funds aside to be used when the building needs to be replaced.

Council may also choose not to fund the depreciation. This would mean there would be no monies set aside to replace the building. Council may choose to do this where it does not want to replace the building if it believe there is no longer a use for it.

In the case of the Heritage Park, the park will pay for new buildings to be built when the old ones need replacing. Therefore, Council does not need to build up a funds for the building replacements at the Heritage Park.

Option 1: Council no longer funds the depreciation on Heritage Park buildings and releases funds already held in reserve.

Council would continue to depreciate the Heritage Park buildings, but it would not fund the depreciation (set the cash aside). The overall average decrease in rates would be 0.53%.

Option 2: Council continues to fund depreciation on Heritage Park buildings, even though the Heritage Park would be responsible for their replacement.

This is how Council currently operates and there would be on reduction in rates if it continued with this process. There would be no overall change to rates.

Option 1 is the preferred option. Council does not need to set money aside for the replacement of buildings at the Heritage Park as the park will raise its own funding as and when needed.

How to have your say

Submissions are open from 10 April to 10 May 2026.
You can make a submission in the way that suits you best.

Anyone can make a submission — you do not need to be a ratepayer.

You can read or download the consultation documents below

•   Read the Draft Annual Plan 
•   Read the Consultation Document 
•   Download printable submission form 

Our online submission form is on our website: Draft Annual Plan 2026/2027 | Westland District Council

What happens next? 

Once submissions close, Council will review and consider all feedback received.
Submitters who have asked to speak to their submission will be invited to attend a hearing. Council will then deliberate and make final decisions before adopting the Annual Plan in June 2026.

Need help?
If you would like help understanding the Draft Annual Plan or making a submission, please contact us.
Phone: 0800 474 834
Email: Consult@westlanddc.govt.nz

Want to find out more?

More information and FAQ’s are available on our website: Draft Annual Plan 2026/2027 | Westland District Council

We encourage you to make a submission and tell us your views. Understanding different perspectives is an important part of the decision-making process.