297 days ago

A new Stormwater targeted rate

The Team from Whangarei District Council

To meet the challenges of stormwater management and the level of service expected by the community, we are going to need to invest more in infrastructure.
💧 www.wdc.govt.nz...

Over 2024-25, we funded stormwater costs through debt. This gave us time to wait for clarity from the Government about their plans for Local Water Done Well, and work out the fairest way to fund our stormwater management.

We are now asking you for your feedback on 2 proposed options for how to fund stormwater management.
The proposed stormwater targeted rate will help ensure that we have a dedicated and sustainable funding source to cover the costs of maintaining and upgrading our stormwater infrastructure.

The stormwater rate will fund the maintenance and improvement of stormwater systems, including important work like renewing and maintaining stormwater pipes and retention basins. It will also support work aimed at reducing flood risks and improving water quality in our rivers and streams.

The proposed universal rate would result in an average annual charge of $180 per household. This charge is designed to be fair and equitable, ensuring that all residents contribute to the essential services that benefit the entire community. There are two ways we can calculate this rate, and we are asking you which you would prefer.

1️⃣ Option 1 (preferred): Introduce a District-wide universal rate of $0.0003696 per dollar of land value. This would work out to be an average annual cost of $180 per household.
2️⃣ Option 2: Introduce a District-wide universal rate of $172 per separately used or inhabited parts (SUIP) of a rating unit. A SUIP refers to any part of a property that is used for a different purpose or inhabited by someone (i.e. if you had two homes on one property, you would be charged twice).

More messages from your neighbours
17 days ago

Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

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19 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.

Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.

We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?

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As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.5% Complete
  • 43.2% I want to be able to choose.
    43.2% Complete
  • 47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.2% Complete
2304 votes
3 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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