Background

Our vision for the future, Poneke: the creative capital where people and nature thrive, is about creating a dynamic, sustainable and vibrant city. We need to put the building blocks in place to lay the foundations for this future.

The Mayor, Councillors and Pouiwi representatives have set out the Council’s proposed activities for the next financial year, starting 1 July 2026.

These proposals are draft. We will be finalising them in June 2026.

Before then, we need to hear from you. This will help the Mayor, Councillors and Pouiwi make their final decisions on behalf of the city.

We are seeking community feedback on key proposals including:

  • introducing a rating change for short-term accommodation providers
  • changes to the rollout of our Paneke Pōneke Bike Network Plan
  • increases to cremation fees
  • increases to fees for contaminated waste
  • introducing new room hire fees for Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library and Toi Pōneke, and other new initiatives; and
  • changes to operating expenditure to reduce rates for the year.

We set our rates by balancing the needs of the community and the demand for services with rates affordability. Your money helps us deliver hundreds of day-to-day services and pays for the interest on loans used to fund big capital projects across Wellington.

This year your rates bill is changing. From 1 July 2026, your Wellington City Council rates will no longer include water charges.

You’ll be billed for water services by a new, separate organisation called Tiaki Wai.

So, while your Council rates bill will go down, the total amount you pay will not.

Due to water network income (and costs) transferring to Tiaki Wai, the Council proposes to collect a total of $433 million in rates (a decrease compared to $629 million in 2025/26, both GST exclusive).

For the remaining Council costs, now excluding water, we are proposing a 7.4 percent average rates increase this year (after growth in the ratepayer base), including a 2.0 percent increase for the Sludge Levy.

For more information on rates, please read the Consultation Document or download the rates information brochure.

We need your voice

Your voice is a critical and essential part of the Annual Plan process, and we need to hear from you.

You will have your say, the Council will listen and then make the tough decisions that are needed and that reflect our communities’ values and concerns.

Provide your feedback by midnight, 10 May 2026.

Make a submission

Fill out the survey by midnight, 10 May 2026.

Key proposals

  • Key proposal 1: Short-term accommodation

    The city’s short-term accommodation (STA) sector provides an effective alternative to motels and hotels and adds capacity for the city. This accommodation is often provided through sites like Airbnb or Bookabach. We are proposing to introduce a new general rates differential covering short-term accommodation.

    Find out more 

  • Key proposal 2: Cycleways changes

    The current prioritisation for the Paneke Pōneke Bike Network Plan was agreed last year through the 2024-34 LTP Amendment after public consultation last year. We are proposing to reduce the cycleways work programme planned for 2026/27.

    Find out more 

  • Key proposal 3: Contaminated waste fees

    The Council is proposing increasing contaminated waste fees. It currently charges $267 per tonne for contaminated soil and $350 for asbestos disposal. The Silverstream Transfer Station charges $510 per tonne for contaminated soil and $398 per tonne for asbestos.*

    Find out more 

  • Key proposal 4: Cremation fees

    The Council is proposing to increase cremation fees to have a higher proportion of the funding being paid by the user and to align with similar charges in the region.

    Find out more 

  • Other Annual Plan changes

    The Council has reviewed its budgets and is proposing changes to ensure the rates for the year remain as low as possible and that the Council is spending wisely.

    Find out more