Beware developers or if subdividing a section off your existing property.
I have no idea what subdividers contribute to the extension of services these days but councils often complain about the cost of the same even if already paid for. The latter however is a common action as the push to increase property density or mitigate a growing rates problem. Are there hidden 3 Waters costs. How do this compare with existing costs?
See below for an example -
"Contributions related to wastewater or water supply are charged separately through Watercare Services Ltd. These are called Infrastructure Growth Charges (IGC). Similar to development contributions, these would be payable in situations where a new site connects to the publicly reticulated wastewater or water supply network, or similarly a new dwelling doing the same.
The IGC for the metropolitan area is $11,680 plus GST However if you are doing your development in more remote settlements or townships such as Wellsford or Helensville, the costs are considerably higher at $18,556 plus GST and $22,080 plus GST".
Do we need more bureauracy?
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
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.
Loading…