These choices help focus resources where they matter most while keeping rates more affordable.
What are we proposing?
We want to keep rates increases as low as we can, but that means making some choices about services, fees, and discounts. Click on each section below to see what could change, what options you have, and how it could affect your rates.
Proposal one: Reducing mowing and garden maintenance
To help limit next year’s rates increase, we’re proposing to reduce mowing and garden maintenance. These changes could save up to $450,000 per year.
What this means:
- Less frequent mowing in parks, cemeteries, road berms and medians
- Seasonal flower beds replaced with simpler planting
- Some shrub gardens replaced with grass or hard surfaces
- Annual Onehunga weed spraying cancelled
Areas may look less manicured, with longer grass and fewer flowers, but these changes help keep rates increases more affordable.
The options
You can choose between two options:
- Option one: Keeping the current mowing and garden maintenance schedule (status quo)
- Option two: Reduce service levels (this is our preferred option)
Reducing service levels will result in a reduction of $17.94 on average (-0.38%) compared to this year.
Want to know more about you give us your feedback? You can find more information in our consultation document and reducing mowing and garden services supporting document.
Proposal two: Reduce opening hours at Coromandel, Matarangi, and Pāuanui Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations
To help limit next year’s rates increase, we’re proposing to reduce opening hours at the Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS) in Coromandel, Matarangi, and Pāuanui. After-hours drop-off facilities at Matarangi and Pāuanui will continue to operate as usual.
What this means:
- Reduced access to Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations services in Coromandel, Matarangi, and Pāuanui.
The options
Want to know more about you give us your feedback? You can find more information in our consultation document and reduced opening hours supporting document.
Proposal three: Increase fees and introduce new charges
To help limit next year’s rates increase, we’re proposing to increase the fees we charge for services and introduce some new fees. This means users will pay a greater share of the costs, reducing the amount funded through rates.
Overall, we’re proposing an average increase of 13%, with variations depending on the service. New fees are also proposed for boat ramps, wharves, and cemeteries.
The options
-
Option 1: Increase fees by inflation (2.5%) and introduce new fees
- Keeps fee increases modest
- Introduces new fees where it makes sense for users to cover the cost
- Ratepayers continue to cover a larger share than some may consider fair
- Fees may not keep up with rising costs
Impact on rates: Reduction of $12.00 on average (0.25%)
Impact on user fees: +2.5% on average
-
Option 2: Increase fees by an average of 13% and introduce new fees (this is our preferred option)
- Creates a fairer split between users and non-users of services
- Reduces pressure on rates by recovering more costs through fees
- Helps services remain financially sustainable long-term
- Higher fees may be difficult for some users
- Some people may choose not to use certain services if fees increase
Impact on rates: Reduction of $62.59 on average (1.33%)
Impact on user fees: +13% on average
Want to know more about you give us your feedback? You can find more information in our consultation document, Statement of Proposal Draft 2026/27 Fees and Charges, and all our proposed Fees and Charges changes.
Proposal four: Reduce some rates remissions
To help limit next year’s rates increase, we’re proposing to reduce selected rates remissions. Remissions are like discounts that reduce rates for eligible individuals, but the cost is shared by all other ratepayers.
What this means:
- Excess water use: Remission reduced from 100%/50% to 50% in any two consecutive affected billing periods
- Late-payment penalties: Remission no longer automatically applied if payment is received within 14 days
- These changes are expected to save around $150,000 per year
The options
-
Option 1: Keep current remissions (status quo)
- Continues financial support for eligible ratepayers
- Remissions remain predictable and familiar
- Costs are carried by all other ratepayers
Impact on rates: No change to the average rates bill
-
Option 2: Reduce remissions (this is our preferred option)
- Reduces overall costs for ratepayers
- Still provides some relief for eligible ratepayers
- May increase out-of-pocket costs for households affected by leaks or late payments
- Simplifies the system and encourages timely payment
Impact on rates: Reduction of $5.98 on average (-0.13%)
- Excess water use remission: saves $70,000, reduction of $2.79 (0.06%) per ratepayer
- Late-payment penalties remission: saves $80,000, reduction of $3.19 (0.07%) per ratepayer
Want to know more about you give us your feedback? You can find more information in our consultation document and proposed rates remissions changes supporting document.
Do you want to talk about all this?
We know change can be tough, so we want to give you the best chance of talking it out with experts before you give us your feedback. There are a bunch of great opportunities to do this including popping by our stalls at markets across the district, dropping in to a kai and kōrero session near you, or attending our online town hall meeting.
Some dates and venues are still being confirmed. Check back here regularly.
Come and see us at your local market
Our market pop-ups are casual and fun chances to talk with us about any of the proposals you've read about. We'll also be handing out some free goodies, so don't miss us!
- Saturday 4 April - Thames Markets: 9am to 12pm (Outside Twentymans)
- Saturday 11 April - Coro Markets: 9am to 1pm (The Hike 'n' Bike lawn, opposite the 4Square Supermarket) Cancelled due to severe weather
- Saturday 18 April - Whiti Citi Markets: 9am-1pm (Soldiers Memorial Park)
- Sunday 19 April - Whangamatā Market: 9am-1pm (Council carpark)
Drop-in and chat with us at Kai and Kōrero
Want to have a sit-down chat with our Elected Member's or expert staff? Drop in for a cuppa and a kōrero at one of our sessions near you. We're coming to your patch to make it easy for you to get the information you need from us.
Please note: we've rescheudled our Coromandel Town drop-in due to the weather. It's now on Friday 24 April from 1 to 4pm.
Attend our online town hall
We know our community love a town hall, so we're taking it online to make sure everyone has a chance to attend. All you need is your phone or computer. You'll be able to ask questions in the chat and our facilitators will make sure our expert presenters get you the answers you need.
7pm, Thursday 23 April on Teams (A link will be provided soon)
How to have your say
In person
Feedback forum
We're holding a feedback forum on Tuesday 7 May.
This is a chance to present your thoughts on the proposals to Elected Members in a formal setting.
If you'd like to take part in this feedback forum, fill out this online form and we'll be in touch to book you in.
In-person events
We're putting on a range of events across the district where you can offer your feedback face-to-face with Elected Members. Join us at a drop-in session or pop by our stall at a local market. You could also attend our online town hall meeting where you can ask questions via chat to live presenters.
Click here for more information
Privacy disclaimer
The information you provide is used for the purpose of obtaining feedback on Tough Choices for Lower Rates: consultation on our 2026/27 Annual Plan, including fees and rates remissions.
We must act in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 2020 and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
When you provide feedback to us, your name, general township location, and feedback will be publicly available. Personal details such as your address, phone number and email will be kept private and used only for internal purposes such as keeping you informed unless we are required to disclose it elsewhere.
For more information on how we handle personal information, see our Council’s Privacy Statement 2020 online.
Please let us know if the information contains any sensitive information which you consider should not be publicly disclosed.